News Releases

Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced today that his office has charged a 76-year-old man living in Texas with four murders, including the slaying of a teenage girl, dating back to 1980.

“I want to commend the tenacious and dedicated work of those who helped solve these horrific crimes,” District Attorney Gascón said. “I cannot imagine the pain that these families have endured. 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.”

Billy Ray Richardson (dob 12/4/46) was charged yesterday in case BA507180 with four counts of murder with the special circumstance allegations of multiple murders, murder during the commission of a rape and murder during the commission of a burglary.

Richardson was arrested yesterday in Fort Worth, Texas, and is awaiting extradition back to Los Angeles. Arraignment will be scheduled for a later date.

On March 6, 1980, Richardson is accused of killing 25-year-old Beverly Cruse and 22-year-old Debra Cruse in an apartment in the 3200 block of Overland Avenue in Palms. Each had been shot in the head three times.

On July 26, 1980, the defendant allegedly murdered 15-year-old Kari Leander in the 3700 block of Victoria Avenue. She had been strangled.

On December 31, 1995, the defendant allegedly murdered 28-year-old Trina Wilson in North Park in Inglewood. Her throat had been slashed.

All four victims had been raped. 

DNA evidence linked Richardson to all of these crimes.

The case remains under investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department.