Scott Michael Hughes, an 18-year-old Marine stationed at Camp Pendleton, was found dead on April 16, 1978, beside the 91 Freeway in Orange County, California. He was discovered fully clothed but missing the laces from his shoes; his slacks were bloodstained and showed genital mutilation, including removal of his left testicle. Toxicology detected Valium, and the official cause of death was ligature strangulation.

Hughes was described by fellow Marines as boisterous with a reputation for drug use. His killing matched the pattern later attributed to Randy Kraft, the convicted serial killer known as the Freeway Killer and Scorecard Killer, who targeted young males—many in the military—and left bodies near Southern California highways. Kraft was convicted in connection with Hughess murder and sentenced to death.

Hughess remains were cremated and his ashes scattered in the Skykomish River in Washington State. No other suspects were identified; the case record describes Kraft as acting alone. If anyone knew Hughes, his movements in April 1978, or saw anything near the 91 Freeway that day, please share what is known.