Former Virginia Cop Sentenced to Life for Brutal Murders of Wife and Stepdaughter

True Crime Today | A True Crime Podcast

A 60-year-old former Virginia police officer has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the brutal murders of his wife and stepdaughter. On Friday, Henrico County Circuit Court Judge sentenced Richard C. Crowder to 100 years in prison for the 2022 killings of 53-year-old Diane Crowder and 35-year-old Carrie Szaksz . Crowder had pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree murder earlier this year.
The judge handed Crowder 50-year sentences for each murder, to be served consecutively. Additionally, Crowder received another 50 years for two counts of attempted aggravated murder of law enforcement officers, making his total sentence 150 years.
These additional charges stem from an hours-long standoff during which Crowder fired at his former colleagues who responded to the scene.
The incident occurred in July 2022 when Diane Crowder was moving out of the home she shared with Richard Crowder, located about 11 miles southeast of Richmond, Virginia. As Diane and her daughter Carrie were outside, supervising the move, Richard Crowder arrived armed with a handgun and opened fire, killing both women.
Henrico County Commonwealth Attorney Shannon Taylor detailed the harrowing events, explaining that Diane Crowder had been in the process of leaving her husband and had hired movers to assist. The situation escalated when Richard Crowder, described as drunk and agitated by the movers, began shooting.
During the sentencing, the presiding judge remarked that Crowder’s actions represented a profound betrayal of his oaths as a former police officer, emphasizing the gravity of the case. The judge's words echoed the sentiment of many, noting that this case was unforgettable due to its sheer brutality.
Witnesses from the moving company described a tense atmosphere before the shooting. They reported hearing screaming, yelling, and gunshots, prompting them to escape by leaping from a second-story window. One mover sustained injuries during the escape.
Crowder then barricaded himself inside the home, leading to a nine-hour standoff with police, during which he fired multiple shots at responding officers. One of the movers expressed relief at having escaped, acknowledging the peril they faced had they remained inside.
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