After a four-decade long search, modern technologies have helped identify a man who murdered three women and a teenage girl in California in 1980. The discovery led to the arrest of a 75-year-old man, Billy Ray Richardson, on Friday.
In 1980 in Los Angeles, Richardson was linked to the murder of Kari Lenander, Beverly Cruse, and her sister, Debra Cruse. He was also a suspect in the investigation into the 1995 murder of Trina Wilson in Inglewood, California. All four victims were discovered to have been raped. With the help of DNA evidence, Richardson was once again tied to the crime.
“I cannot imagine the pain that these families have endured,” Los Angeles District Attorney, George Gascón, said, later stating he hopes to bring justice for the victims and their family.
In the mid 2000’s, there was a break in the case as DNA profiling incivated that the suspect was black, despite it having long been believed the murderer was white. While it is unclear whether this helped to discover Richardson, who is also black, the case was one step closer to being closed.
On July 14th, Richardson was presented to the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office, which filed four counts of first-degree murder and murder in the commission of rape.
In 1980 in Los Angeles, Richardson was linked to the murder of Kari Lenander, Beverly Cruse, and her sister, Debra Cruse. He was also a suspect in the investigation into the 1995 murder of Trina Wilson in Inglewood, California. All four victims were discovered to have been raped. With the help of DNA evidence, Richardson was once again tied to the crime.
“I cannot imagine the pain that these families have endured,” Los Angeles District Attorney, George Gascón, said, later stating he hopes to bring justice for the victims and their family.
In the mid 2000’s, there was a break in the case as DNA profiling incivated that the suspect was black, despite it having long been believed the murderer was white. While it is unclear whether this helped to discover Richardson, who is also black, the case was one step closer to being closed.
On July 14th, Richardson was presented to the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office, which filed four counts of first-degree murder and murder in the commission of rape.
