Billy Ray Richardson, a 76-year-old man, was arrested for four first-degree murders and received a prison sentence of four decades. Three women and a teenage girl in California were victims of Richardson’s assault, rape, and abuse.
Back in 2001, detectives in Los Angeles reopened a murder investigation of Kari Lenander, a 15-year-old teenager who was raped and killed in a South Los Angeles neighborhood. The city offered $50,000 as a reward to anyone who knew information about the culprit.
Detectives knew that on the night Lenander was murdered, she and her friend went hitch-hiking when they were picked up by a man named Ken supposedly “visiting from Canada.” Lenander kept partying with Ken while her friend was dropped off at home. Five hours later, Lenander was found dead.
Although Lenander was with Ken, a white man, a DNA profile determined the killer’s race was Black. The information limited the direction of where detectives needed to go – the detectives were unsure of where Ken fit in or if he played a role in the murder.
In 1980, the bodies of Beverly Cruse and Debra Cruse were found in a West Los Angeles apartment. They were determined to be shot in the head.
In December of 1995, Trina Wilson’s body was found near a park. Wilson’s circumstances were not clear at the time. A $25,000 reward was offered to anyone who knew any information about Ms. Wilson.
Authorities did not release any new evidence that they used to catch Richardson except for the DNA test. He was put to jail in Texas, and is now waiting for an extradition to Los Angeles.
Links:
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/16/us/billy-richardson-cold-case-california.html
https://www.cbsnews.com/dfw/news/cold-case-arrest-billy-richardson/
Back in 2001, detectives in Los Angeles reopened a murder investigation of Kari Lenander, a 15-year-old teenager who was raped and killed in a South Los Angeles neighborhood. The city offered $50,000 as a reward to anyone who knew information about the culprit.
Detectives knew that on the night Lenander was murdered, she and her friend went hitch-hiking when they were picked up by a man named Ken supposedly “visiting from Canada.” Lenander kept partying with Ken while her friend was dropped off at home. Five hours later, Lenander was found dead.
Although Lenander was with Ken, a white man, a DNA profile determined the killer’s race was Black. The information limited the direction of where detectives needed to go – the detectives were unsure of where Ken fit in or if he played a role in the murder.
In 1980, the bodies of Beverly Cruse and Debra Cruse were found in a West Los Angeles apartment. They were determined to be shot in the head.
In December of 1995, Trina Wilson’s body was found near a park. Wilson’s circumstances were not clear at the time. A $25,000 reward was offered to anyone who knew any information about Ms. Wilson.
Authorities did not release any new evidence that they used to catch Richardson except for the DNA test. He was put to jail in Texas, and is now waiting for an extradition to Los Angeles.
Links:
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/16/us/billy-richardson-cold-case-california.html
https://www.cbsnews.com/dfw/news/cold-case-arrest-billy-richardson/
