A suspect connected to the shooting deaths of three homeless men in Los Angeles has been arrested, according to FOX News correspondent Christina Coleman. The suspect, Richard Bradley Jr., is accused of luring victims to their deaths by asking for their help in digging up “buried gold.” Initially charged with one count of first-degree murder in connection with the death of Brandi Blake, Bradley now faces murder charges in the deaths of three more individuals.
King County Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Thomas C. O’Ban described Bradley’s common scheme in court filings, stating that he would tell individuals he needed their help digging up gold, lure them to a wooded area, and then murder and bury their bodies. After committing the murders, Bradley would take possession of the victims’ vehicles and any belongings inside them. Investigators have determined that he used this scheme with both Emilio Maturin and Brandi Blake.
The victims, Blake, Maturin, Michael Goeman, and Vance Lakey, all had cash and cars in common, according to court documents. Blake had recently won $20,000 at a casino and drove a Ford Mustang. Goeman had come into a large sum of money from an inheritance and was living in a newly purchased Dodge Durango with his son. Maturin was known to carry large amounts of cash and had several different cars.
Witnesses have come forward with information about Bradley’s promises to Maturin and Blake regarding buried gold. One witness reported hearing Bradley tell Maturin about gold he had buried from a prior robbery. Another witness revealed that Blake had confided in him about Bradley asking for her help in selling some “gold” he had hidden.
Bradley has a criminal history, including convictions for robbery, vehicular assault, possession of an unregistered firearm, and burglary. He is currently facing pending charges for solicitation to commit arson, unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of stolen property, identity theft, and more.
The suspect is scheduled to appear in court on January 8th. The investigation into these murders is ongoing.
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