HENRICO COUNTY, VA — A 60-year-old former police officer, Richard C. Crowder, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the 2022 murders of his wife and stepdaughter, as well as for attempted murder of law enforcement officers. Henrico County Circuit Court delivered the verdict on Friday, confirming Crowder will spend 150 years in a state correctional facility.
Crowder pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree murder in February, admitting to the fatal shootings of 53-year-old Diane Crowder and 35-year-old Carrie Szaksz. Each count resulted in a 50-year sentence, to be served consecutively.
Additionally, Crowder entered Alford pleas to two counts of attempted aggravated murder following an hours-long standoff where he fired at police officers responding to the scene. This plea, while maintaining his claim of innocence, acknowledges sufficient evidence for conviction, adding another 50 years to his sentence.
This case has garnered significant attention due to the brutal nature of the crimes and Crowder’s previous role as a police officer.