Southland Four to Six, Apr. to Aug. 1973

I am using the term "Southland Four" to refer to four victims of Randy Kraft killed from Dec. 1972 to Apr. 1973: Edward Daniel Moore, Kevin Clark Bailey (found Apr. 14, 1973, and unIDed until 1995), and both Wilmington John Does. 

Newspapers later reported on two other men murdered in the area in 1973 in conjunction with the Southland Four: Robert Loudon and Ronnie Gene Wiebe. Wiebe is also a confirmed victim of Randy Kraft, while Robert Loudon is not. 

This page is broken up into three sections based on date of publication. The clippings in each section focus primarily on the respective most recent murder victim at the time, so I have labeled each section based on said victim accordingly.

Despite this labeling, each article in fact mentions every preceding victim: for example, the three articles on Robert Loudon also mention the Southland Four, and the three articles on Ronnie Wiebe also reference both the Southland Four and Robert Loudon. 

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April 1973: Wilmington John Doe Apr. 1973

McAdams, Frank. "Body parts found." Anaheim Bulletin, pp. 1. Wed., Apr. 25, 1973. Clipped from Newspapers.com.


Stingley, Jim. "Murders of four young men in beach areas linked, police say." The LA Times, pp. 3. Thurs., Apr. 26, 1973. Clipped from Newspapers.com.


Lemm, Tim. "Leg of mutilated body found in Seal Beach." San Pedro News-Pilot, pp. 1. Thurs., Apr. 26, 1973. Clipped from Newspapers.com. 


"Dismembered victim: Head found in bag at South Bay firm." Torrance Daily Breeze, pp. 3. Fri., Apr. 27, 1973. Clipped from Newspapers.com.



"Unknown butcher: At least four victims." The Santa Clarita Signal, pp. 6. Fri., Apr. 27, 1973. Clipped from Newspapers.com. 


Sheehan, John. "Police forces unite, ask help: Plea in butchery deaths." Long Beach Independent, pp. A1-A8. Fri., Apr. 27, 1973. Clipped from Newspapers.com. 



"Police ask help to locate killer." San Pedro News-Pilot, pp. 1. Sat., Apr. 28, 1973. Clipped from Newspapers.com. 

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May 1973: Robert James Loudon 

"Decapitated body found in Carson." Long Beach Press-Telegram, pp. 1. Sun., May 20, 1973. Clipped from Newspapers.com. 


"Headless body link suspected to series of mutilation deaths." Long Beach Press Telegram, pp. 1. Mon., May 21, 1973. Clipped from Newspapers.com. 


"Fifth decapitation slaying unrelated, police believe." Torrance Daily Breeze, pp. 1. Mon., May 21, 1973. Clipped from Newspapers.com. 

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July to Aug. 1973: Ronnie Gene Wiebe 

"Unidentified young man killed in 6th slaying at beach cities." Torrance Daily Breeze, pp. 3. Mon., July 30, 1973. Clipped from Newspapers.com. 


"Sixth in series of slayings: Strangle victim was Fullerton man, 21." Torrance Daily Breeze, pp. 3. Sun., July 31, 1973. Clipped from Newspapers.com.



"Mysterious murders: The nude corpses around Seal Beach." Santa Clarita Signal, pp. 4. Sat., Aug. 13, 1973. Clipped from Newspapers.com.


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