76-year-old Texan, Billy Ray Richardson, was arrested and charged with killing three women and a teenage girl on Thursday after DNA evidence helped solve the California murder case from 40 years ago.
Billy Ray Richardson was responsible for the murders of Kari Lenander, Beverly Cruse, and Debra Cruse in 1980 in Los Angeles, and for the death of Trina Wilson in 1995 in Inglewood. DNA evidence helped authorities track down the suspect and on Thursday, detectives from Los Angeles and Inglewood went to Fort Worth, Texas to arrest Mr. Richardson, who was charged with four counts of first-degree murder with the special circumstance of multiple murders, and murders in the commission of rape.
All four victims were still young before meeting their end and all were raped by Mr. Richardson as well. Kari Lenander was only 15 years old when she was strangled and left in a neighborhood. Authorities say that her murder was sexually motivated even though she was still a minor. She was on her way back from a party with her friend when they decided to hitchhike home. A man, allegedly coming from Canada, offered to drop them off but although her friend arrived home safely, Kari wasn’t able to return home that night. Sisters Beverly and Debra Cruse were also only in their twenties until they were found dead in their apartment by their own brother.
“I cannot imagine the pain that these families have endured,” said Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón, “Their loss is immeasurable. We hope that together we can bring justice to the families who have endured so much and have waited years for this moment.”
Sources:
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/16/us/billy-richardson-cold-case-california.html
https://twitter.com/LAPDPIO/status/1547771747692269569
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/billy-ray-richardson-texas-4-cold-case-murders-beverly-cruse-debra-cruse-kari-lenander-trina-wilson-california/
Billy Ray Richardson was responsible for the murders of Kari Lenander, Beverly Cruse, and Debra Cruse in 1980 in Los Angeles, and for the death of Trina Wilson in 1995 in Inglewood. DNA evidence helped authorities track down the suspect and on Thursday, detectives from Los Angeles and Inglewood went to Fort Worth, Texas to arrest Mr. Richardson, who was charged with four counts of first-degree murder with the special circumstance of multiple murders, and murders in the commission of rape.
All four victims were still young before meeting their end and all were raped by Mr. Richardson as well. Kari Lenander was only 15 years old when she was strangled and left in a neighborhood. Authorities say that her murder was sexually motivated even though she was still a minor. She was on her way back from a party with her friend when they decided to hitchhike home. A man, allegedly coming from Canada, offered to drop them off but although her friend arrived home safely, Kari wasn’t able to return home that night. Sisters Beverly and Debra Cruse were also only in their twenties until they were found dead in their apartment by their own brother.
“I cannot imagine the pain that these families have endured,” said Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón, “Their loss is immeasurable. We hope that together we can bring justice to the families who have endured so much and have waited years for this moment.”
Sources:
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/16/us/billy-richardson-cold-case-california.html
https://twitter.com/LAPDPIO/status/1547771747692269569
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/billy-ray-richardson-texas-4-cold-case-murders-beverly-cruse-debra-cruse-kari-lenander-trina-wilson-california/
