Diane Crowder : “Va. cop sentenced for wife, stepdaughter murders”

By | June 1, 2024

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Accident – Death – Obituary News : : 1. Virginia police officer murder case
2. Sentencing for wife and stepdaughter murders

A former police officer in Virginia was sentenced to 150 years in prison for fatally shooting his estranged wife and adult stepdaughter nearly two years ago. Richard Colon Crowder, who worked in the K-9 Unit at the Henrico Police from October 1986 until his retirement in November 2014, pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree murder. The incident occurred in July 2022 as his wife, 53-year-old Diane Crowder, moved her belongings out of their home. Crowder barricaded himself inside the house for nearly nine hours, firing shots at police vehicles. He was sentenced to 150 years behind bars for the murders and attempted murder of two officers.

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1. Virginia police officer guilty of wife and stepdaughter murders
2. Sentenced ex-cop for killing wife and stepdaughter in Virginia

Former Virginia Police Officer Receives 150-Year Sentence for Double Murder

A former police officer in Virginia, Richard Colon Crowder, was handed a 150-year prison sentence on Friday for the fatal shooting of his estranged wife and adult stepdaughter nearly two years ago. The incident took place in July 2022 at the couple’s residence in Henrico County.

Background of the Tragic Incident

Richard Colon Crowder, who served in the K-9 Unit at the Henrico Police from October 1986 until his retirement in November 2014, pleaded guilty earlier this year to two counts of first-degree murder. The dreadful event unfolded as his wife, 53-year-old Diane Crowder, was in the process of moving her belongings out of their home.

Also present at the scene was his stepdaughter, 35-year-old Carrie Szaksz, along with at least two employees of a moving company. The situation took a deadly turn when shots were fired, causing two men to flee the residence unharmed.

Hours-Long Standoff

Following the shooting, Crowder barricaded himself inside the house for nearly nine hours. Reports indicated that he fired shots that struck two Henrico County police vehicles during the tense standoff. Eventually, he surrendered to law enforcement officers.

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Upon entering the residence, the police made a grim discovery as they found the lifeless bodies of two women, later identified as his wife and stepdaughter. The tragic incident sent shockwaves through the local community and law enforcement agencies.

Legal Proceedings and Sentencing

In February, the 62-year-old Crowder entered a guilty plea to two counts of first-degree murder. Additionally, he entered an Alford plea to the attempted murder of two officers, maintaining his innocence while acknowledging the strength of the prosecution’s evidence against him.

During the sentencing hearing on Friday, Crowder was handed down a punishment of 50 years for each murder charge and 25 years for each attempted murder charge, amounting to a total of 150 years behind bars. The sentencing marked the culmination of a harrowing legal process that sought justice for the victims and their families.

The tragic events that transpired on that fateful day in July 2022 have left a lasting impact on the community and underscore the importance of addressing issues related to domestic violence and firearm safety.

With News Wire Services