Kelley, an associate professor of sociology at Longwood University, was one of four victims discovered bludgeoned to death in her Farmville residence on Friday, Sept. 18. Wheneverfans of a fringe musical genre--from black metal to Marilyn Manson--commit a crime,we questionwhether the violence was influenced bythe music or whetherviolent kids, along with more harmless fans, are just more likely to seek it out. Butnow we can recognize him as the campy showman he really was. Gruesome Details Revealed in "Syko Sam" Killings - NBC Bay Area "For about 15 years, this is what I do. Farmville police Capt. Bowen said there was a "deterioration" of the relationship between McCroskey and Emma. His MySpace Web page said he has only been rapping for a few months but has been a fan for years of the genre. Until such time, I have no further comment," Ennis said. (From left) Nancy Wood, of Powhatan, her daughters Caitlin, 18, and Kelly, 16, and their father Jaime Wood attend the funeral service for Debra S. Kelley at Farmville United Methodist Church in Farmville on Saturday, October 3, 2009. }, First published on September 21, 2009 / 8:30 AM. Police found a suspect, Richard Samuel Alden McCroskey III at Richmond International Airport where he was waiting for a flight to California. Prince Edward County Commonwealth Attorney James Ennis during press conference in Farmville VA Tues. Sept. 22, 2009 to announce the names of the 4 victims of recent homicide. Photo from Facebook. A drawing said to be created by Beltway sniper Lee Boyd Malvo in 2004 is for sale on one of the sites for $125. McCroskey, of California, was charged with killing his girlfriend, 16-year-old Emma Niederbrock; her parents, Presbyterian minister Mark Niederbrock and Longwood University professor Debra. Joe McCutchen holds Sunday service at Walker Presbyterian Church, in Pamplin, Va, on September 20, 2009. CASTRO VALLEY At first, Sarah McCroskey was in denial. Richard was arrested at an airport in Richmond, Virginia later that day as he waited for a flight home. 'Horrorcore' Rapper Gets Life for Killing 4 in Va. Horrorcore Rap Killings Shock Sleepy Va. Town. Dear Abby: Am I overreacting to my European daughter-in-law's behavior? Rev. "He said how bad he felt about it," said Bowen. He rapped about killing, maiming and mutilating people. Everything is on the floor, McCroskey said. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. The mother of Rev. Ennis said the family played a large role in going over the specifics of the case. RICHMOND, Va. (AP) A 20-year-old California man calling himself Syko Sam rapped in his horrorcore lyrics on "the best feeling" derived from killing people slowly, watching their last breaths. Get Morning Report and other email newsletters, Flowers are seen in front of the house police are investigating the murders of four people in Farmville, Va., Monday, Sept. 21, 2009. Richard Samuel McCroskey lived in Castro Valley, California with his father and older sister, Sarah. [6] McCroskey and his sister had been raised in Hayward, California before moving to Castro Valley. Emma, and now, Mark as well. The Castro Valley rapper Richard McCroskey was arrested last week in connection with the deaths of four people in Farmville, Virginia. One of McCroskey's lawyers, Cary B. Bowen, said he and Ennis "would be pretty disappointed if Sam started to do that.". He said the plea agreement came about within the last eight weeks. Safely behind bars and deep in the warrens of Virginia's toughest prison, Richard Samuel Alden McCroskey III still has a presence in the outside world. The attorney described his client's mood as "solemn" on Monday. Trump motion to declare mistrial in E. Jean Carroll lawsuit denied, Tornado hits Virginia Beach, likely damaging hundreds of homes, Transgender Montana lawmaker Zooey Zephyr sues over censure, Debt ceiling standoff heats up over veterans' programs, Texas man who lost wife and son in shooting shares story, NYPD officer Troy Patterson dies 33 years after being shot in robbery, Supreme Court to hear case that could curb power of federal agencies, The weirdest items passengers leave behind in Ubers, Woman who left newborn to die next to Mississippi River learns fate, Operator in limo crash that killed 20 goes on trial in Schoharie, NY, Arkansas woman indicted for selling stolen body parts to Pennsylvania man. Sept. 20, 2010. In 2009, he brutally murdered four people in Farmville, including his girlfriend. Richard Samuel McCroskey lived in Castro Valley, California with his father and older sister, Sarah. The Horrorcore Murders. In 2009, Emma Niederbrock invited her | by Prosecutors said Monday they had to investigate hundreds of pieces of forensic evidence in their case against an aspiring 20-year-old rapper from California suspected of killing a Virginia pastor and three other people. Police found a suspect, Richard Samuel Alden McCroskey III at Richmond International Airport where he was waiting for a flight to California. "He's going to be in prison for the rest of his life," said Ennis. In Prince Edward County, he's being called a murderer. They even took baby books.. Please enter valid email address to continue. McCroskey said he understood the charges and was able to make the decision under his own power. 'Horrorcore' singer suspected in Virginia killings - CNN.com Rev. Related Locations: Borden House. He was an amateur Horrorcore rapper who went by the name 'Syko Sam.' . Richard Alden Samuel McCroskey III (born December 26, 1988) had been a graphic designer and amateur horrorcore rapper [7] [20] [6] and had been living with his father and 21-year-old sister in Castro Valley, California. Keep it Clean. Niederbrock was murdered with three others on Sept. 18, 2009. He added there were no defensive wounds on the victims. On the evening of September 12, 2009, the Niederbrocks drove Emma, Melanie, and Richard to the concert as planned. You have permission to edit this article. He thanked police for their hard work in filing search warrants and collecting evidence. Sept. 20, 2010. Please subscribe to keep reading. "No one awoke," Ennis said. He's expected to face more charges in the future, after investigators sift through hundreds of pieces of forensic evidence. He said he does not discuss finances but that his website averages around 1,000 hits a day. Emmas parents were particularly troubled over her choice of music. "I thought that part of his sentence structure where the death penalty was taken off the table, he would not publish or produce anything that remotely had anything to with the homicides," Hodgson said. Work. Stimpson called McCroskey's songs and writings "a little disturbing," and said police were looking into that. In addition, their father plays guitar in a band. His real name is Richard Samuel Alden McCroskey, the third. Critics say theyll make bias worse. Another tick-borne disease is on the rise in the U.S. Ukrainian soldiers get targeted by rockets while digging trenches near Bakhmut, Scientists launch new study into humans after realizing spiders lose eyesight due to malnutrition. Horrorcore killer Richard McCroskey: When death imitates art Fall River, MA. Please enter valid email address to continue. Please subscribe to keep reading. She dyed her hair hot pink, wore dark eye makeup, and vented about her contempt for religion both on the walls of her bedroom and on MySpace. The Horrorcore Murders. In 2009, Emma Niederbrock invited her | by (L-R) Keith Baty and Corporal Richard Miles with the Richmond International Airport Police Department talk to a reporter Saturday, September 19, 2009, about their arrest this morning of Richard Samuel Alden McCroskey III for the murder of four people in Farmville. He had an expectation that they were seeing each other exclusively and was unhappy with how things were going. They took Emma to see a therapist but there was little to no progress and in the end, they decided to support their daughter and her interests instead. Some sun in the morning with increasing clouds during the afternoon. "It's disconcerting when you think of the victims or survivors' perspective.". Andres Shrim, who owns the small, independent horrorcore music label Serial Killin Records in New Mexico and performs under the name SickTanicK, said he saw all three Sept. 12 at an all-day music festival in Southgate, Mich. Shrim said despite the morbid music he and his friends loved, they were not violent people. This is what should be punishment for a person who kill people. They forced their way inside and found four bodies drenched in blood, nearly unrecognizable. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated 4/4/2023), Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (updated 1/26/2023). After he pleaded guilty to two counts of capital murder and two counts of first-degree murder Richard Samuel Alden McCroskey III is transported from the Prince Edward Circuit Court in Farmville VA Mon. This is my job, my career," said Gein, 43. McCroskey will be formally charged with the other three killings once the bodies are identified, Stimpson said. The crime scene was so horrifying police would not even describe it, saying only that the victims died of blunt force trauma. Kelley, an associate professor of sociology at Longwood University, was one of four victims discovered bludgeoned to death in her Farmville residence on Friday, Sept. 18. You have permission to edit this collection. Sarah described him as a mild-mannered, passive person who wouldnt hurt anyone unless provoked. McCroskey isn't the only notorious killer in aVirginiaprison who has a presence on the Internet or has produced items that can be found for sale on the Internet. McCroskey said her brother has been placed on suicide watch. Rev. The court was under the impression that a motion for a change of venue would be requested from the defense. Because of Richard McCroskey,parents nowhave to askthemselves whether extreme entertainment--from goryrock to homemade slasher films--could ever become reality. Richard Alden Samuel McCroskey III appeared by video conference in Prince Edward County court. A law enforcement officer keeps watch in the front yard of the house on First Avenue in Farmville, Virginia where police found four bodies on Friday. "This is an insidious and despicable industry that cheapens the lives of innocent crime victims.". The Farmville murders occurred in Farmville, Virginia in September 2009 - the quadruple bludgeoning homicide of Mark Niederbrock, Debra S. Kelley, their daughter Emma Niederbrock and friend Melanie Wells.. Emma Niederbrock shared an online relationship with Richard Samuel McCroskey, a troubled aspiring rapper. Friends and members at Walker's Presbyterian Church in Hixburg, Va. hug eachother after a graveside service for Rev. A preliminary hearing was set for Jan. 11 because of the amount of evidence discovered. I cant waiiit to see you baby its like 6:17 AM, and Ive been up since 4ish filled with uber amounts of excitement I cant wait. You are my one and only everything. PHOTOS: Four killed in Farmville 10 years ago. "Farmville Murderer" Richard Samuel McCroskey | Unspeakable Crimes 71,682 views Jul 11, 2017 What began as an online relationship between two horrorcore music enthusiasts, Richard Samuel. The victims were found bludgeoned to death. When the mother still didn't hear from her daughter Friday, police went to the home and found the bodies. "This was once an underground market that through the Internet has now come into mainstream America and across the world," said Andy Kahan, a victim advocate for the city of Houston who monitors websites that sell murderabilia. Richard's parents split up in the summer of 2009. 2009 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. McCroskey, who recorded "horrorcore" music with lyrics that spoke of murder and violence, had been in an online relationship with Emma for about a year before he traveled to visit her in September of last year, Ennis said. Dear Abby: I have a great life, so why have I fallen into this shameful behavior? What he could do, however, was make music. Quadruple-murder suspects sister has received, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), First Republic Bank seized, sold to JPMorgan Chase, Quadruple-murder suspects sister has received death threats over Virginia slayings. Stories about deaths in houses I couldnt see. As for McCroskey, he said, "We contacted him; we started a relationship through the mail like we do with all the guys we do business with.". Since the bodies were found last Friday at Kelleys home, Sarah McCroskeys life has been a whirlwind. Since his arrest, Richard Samuel Alden McCroskey III has not been cooperating with police, according to Associated Press reports. Her brother found a niche in the underground horrorcore scene raps equivalent to films horror genre and took on the name Syko Sam. Use the 'Report' link on He was awaiting a flight home to Castro Valley, Calif. Ennis said McCroskey called police to check on noises in the basement because "Mrs. Wells told him to." Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, But now that he's been arrested for thequadruple murder ofVirginia teens Melanie Wells, Emma NiederbrockandNiederbrock's parents, itsounds like he wasforeshadowing the killings in his songs. "I feel I failed as his big sister." Her brother, Richard Alden Samuel McCroskey III, 20, was arrested Saturday in the slayings of four people in Farmville, a small college town about 50. } {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, Charlottesville mother arrested on child porn, attempted exploitation charges, Spotsylvania County says it's been left out of talks over neighboring Wilderness Crossing development, US Department of Education opens investigation into claims UVa retaliated against disabled student, UVa police searching for purse-jacking suspect, Charlottesville barbershop celebrates 100 years of cuts and cutting up, 'Taming' Foxfield: Spectators, neighbors celebrate return of a more civilized spring steeplechase, 'Technicality' over corporate status could tank plaintiff's case in Lee statue dispute, Orange County OKs Wilderness Crossing despite outpouring of opposition, Teen sentenced in Mallside Forest triple shooting, As archaeological dig ends, gag order keeps Swan Tavern findings under wraps, Law firm releases summary review of embattled Charlottesville SPCA, K.K. Harriette Cole: My friend's mom didn't recognize me at my job, and she was very rude, Ask Amy: I put a security camera in my room, and what I saw was creepy, Ask Amy: My fiancee's family says I'm not invited, and she's going without me, 'Total dominance': Steph Curry breaks NBA Game 7 record, leads Warriors over Kings, The dad whose wife and child were among 5 killed by a neighbor in Texas describes how the massacre unfolded, Dear Abby: The reason her fiance hid his phone was something she never guessed, Mortgage fees to rise for buyers with high credit scores, fall for those with lower scores, Kurtenbach: Game 7 is likely not win-or-go-home for the Warriors it's win-or-break-up, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Richard stayed in the home with their decomposing bodies for the next four days. We are relieved that justice has been done.". {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, Independent Contractor (Newspaper Carrier), 10 years ago, 'horrorcore' rapper killed his girlfriend and her Farmville family with a maul. Online "murderabelia" sales include some VA criminals Police found a suspect, Richard Samuel Alden McCroskey III at Richmond International Airport where he was waiting for a flight to California. While we will never forget our loved ones or the circumstances of their deaths, we hope to move forward and begin the healing process." Adults were horrified when Alice Cooper sang about necrophilia and staged mock hangingsback in the 1970s. Melanie Wells, right, with Andres "SickTanick" Shrim. Although he faced the death penalty, McCroskey ultimately was sentenced to life in prison.Im Paul, and this has been an Unspeakable Crimes true case of a quadruple murder carried about by an aspiring horrorcore rapper.---Subscribe to Graveyard Shift | http://bit.ly/GraveyardShift_SubscribeGraveyard Shift on Facebook | http://bit.ly/GraveyardShift_Facebook Kelley, an associate professor of sociology at Longwood University, was one of four victims discovered bludgeoned to death in her Farmville residence on Friday, Sept. 18. Thank you so much for supporting The Wicked Truth! When the two met for the first time in person, Niederbrock confided in her friend Melanie, McCroskey was not the person he portrayed himself as online. But theVirginialaw, like those of most states, does not address "murderabilia" sales because it does not prevent dealers and other third parties from profiting by selling property either owned or produced by felons, Kahan said. College. McCroskey recorded horrorcore music, which sets violent lyrics to hip-hop beats, and his songs spoke of death, murder and mutilation. Afterwards, he attempted to clean up the blood-covered den. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. We offer a full website redesign, website hosting, free SSL security, and 60 minutes of monthly updates. Together, Emma Niederbrock, McCroskey, her mother, and father, along with friend . Prosecutors said that the women were bludgeoned with a wood-splitting tool while they slept on Sept. 15, 2009. Richard Samuel McCroskey Farmville, VA Murder House 505 First Avenue Farmville, VA The house in Farmville, VA where the boyfriend brutally murdered his girlfriend, her friend and her parents. The siblings each dropped out of high school. Bowen said McCroskey expressed remorse and understood the severity of what he did. "This is the kind of stuff that citizens any place in this country are terrified it could happen to them. In order to keep an eye on them, they allowed Emma to attend the concert on the condition that they would drive the trio to the show and back to their home in Farmville where Richard and Melanie would spend the night. The family lived near Kelley in Farmville for about ten years before moving to Powhatan, and the girls were close to Emma Niederbrock, Kelley's daughter. McCroskey stayed at the home and contemplated suicide after the homicides, according to Ennis. "Syko Sam" - The Farmville Murders Talk Murder With Me Joe Winfree walk away after speaking to the press after the funeral service for Debra S. Kelley at Farmville United Methodist Church in Farmville on Saturday, October 3, 2009. McCroskey III is already charged in the killing of Mark Niederbrock, a pastor at a Presbyterian church in central Virginia. Richard Samuel McCroskey lived in Castro Valley, California with his father and older sister, Sarah. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Richard Alden "Sam" Samuel McCroskey III was born Dec. 26, 1988 in Hayward, California, a city in the East Bay subregion of the San Francisco Bay Area, where he lived with his parents and older sister, Sarah. But high school was just uncomfortable for Sammy, McCroskey said. As officers made their way to the front door of the Niederbrock home, they were met with the overwhelming stench of decomposition. Emma shared her excitement about meeting Richard for the first time in person in a post on his MySpace page: The next time you check your myspace, YOULL BE AT MY HOUSE! Eight states - Alabama, California, Florida, New Jersey, Michigan, Montana, Texas and Utah - have passed "notoriety-for-profit" laws that make it illegal for inmates to ship personally produced items out of prison for sale, Kahan said. In 2003, the McCroskey family moved to Castro Valley, CA, just 3 miles north of Hayward. Photo taken Saturday, September 19, 2009. Ennis described McCroskey as a "closed-off individual." Borum is a cousin of Kelley's and Dyson a close friend of Kelley's mother. Richard has never provided a motive for the killings. While there, Richard attacked him from behind with a hammer and beat him to death in the living room. High school. Its unclear what took place at the show that ultimately set Richard off, however, on September 15 at 3 am, he took an axe from their backyard and bludgeoned Debra, Emma, and Melanie to death as they slept. Her brother, Richard Alden Samuel McCroskey III, 20, was arrested Saturday in the slayings of four people in Farmville, a small college town about 50 miles west of Richmond. I always fought back, but Sammy was way too passive. He emphasized that the state medical examiner's office would not officially identify any of the victims until at least Monday. They went on to thank the Farmville Police Department and the Virginia State Police for their efforts. Sylvia Meadows speaks to the press after the funeral service for Debra S. Kelley at Farmville United Methodist Church in Farmville on Saturday, October 3, 2009. It won't go on for years in the appellate system with no resolution in some of their lifetimes.". Richard Samuel McCroskey III -- a 20-year-old rapper in the underground genre of "Horrorcore" who sang of chopping people into pieces -- has been arrested in connection with the slayings. What happens to First Republic Bank's stock and deposits now? 30-something TBI survivor + storyteller powered by caffeine & my feline overlords https://medium.com/@fatimhemraj/membership, https://medium.com/@fatimhemraj/membership. "We had a gentlemen's agreement (and) it would be unfortunate (for McCroskey) to capitalize on such a situation," Bowen said. Larry Traylor, a spokesman for theVirginiaDepartment of Corrections, said inmates are not allowed to operate Facebook pages because they do not have access to the Internet. A friend said McCroskey, Emma and her friend were brought together by horrorcore music. Friends and members at Walker's Presbyterian Church in Hixburg, Va. hug after a graveside service for Rev. I love you sooo SO much baby; forever and always. Borum is a cousin of Kelley's and Dyson a close friend of Kelley's mother. Richard Alden Samuel McCroskey III rapped about the thrill of murder in songs he posted on the Internet. Investigators believe McCroskey was angry over his failed relationship, and went on his murderous spree in response. . Online, he's known as Syko Sam. Neighbors in Castro Valley say he lived with his father and they did not think he . Ill receive a small commission if you become a member with my referral link. Arkansas woman indicted for selling stolen body parts to Pennsylvania man racist or sexually-oriented language. Richard was often bullied about his weight and red hair and ultimately dropped out of high school. Or isit possible he madethe music afterthefatal bludgeonings? Flowers have been placed near the front yard of a house on First Avenue in Farmville, Virginia where police were investigating the murder of four people there. "Four bodies is pretty compelling evidence," said Bowen when asked if the evidence wasn't convincing enough to allow McCroskey to plead not guilty. Wade Stimpson said McCroskey likely would be charged with killing three others Rev. ", Ennis said, "Hopefully it will bring some measure of closure to the family. He's expected to face more charges in the. person will not be tolerated. An effort is under way to enact a federal law that would stop such interstate commerce by stopping inmates from sending personalized items out of prison via mail, he added. They took house phones, computers and anything relevant to the situation. UPDATE: Details emerge about weapons used in Farmville killings Syko Sam, aka Richard Samuel Alden McCroskey III, was arrested Saturday in connection with a quadruple homicide in the Richmond, Virginia, area. September 21, 2009 / 8:30 AM Three of his victims, Emma Niederbrock, 16; Melanie Wells, 18; Emma's mother, Debra S. Kelley, 53, a Longwood University professor; were beaten to death as they slept. Join Facebook to connect with Richard Alden Samuel McCroskey and others you may know. On September 19, 2009, police arrested 20-year-old amateur horrorcore rapper and graphic designer Richard Alden Samuel McCroskey III, also known as "Syko Sam", on suspicion of killing Mark Neiderbrock, a pastor at a Presbyterian church in central Virginia. Meadows, who baptized Kelley's daughter Emma Niederbrock when she was five years old, performed the service. Not many. This package will give your website the face-lift it needs and keep it running smoothly. Gein said public interest in what he does far outweighs the criticism and points to the television show as evidence.