Richard McCroskey and the 2009 Farmville Murders
Overview
In September 2009, Richard Alden Samuel McCroskey III—an aspiring “horrorcore” rapper from California known online as “Syko Sam”—killed four people in Farmville, Virginia. The victims were his online girlfriend, her mother, her father, and a close friend. The killings took place at 505 First Avenue in Farmville and were discovered on September 18, 2009.
Timeline
McCroskey flew from California to Virginia on September 6, 2009, to meet 16-year-old Emma Niederbrock after nearly a year of online contact. Days before the murders, Emma, her parents (Debra Kelley and Mark Niederbrock), her friend Melanie Wells, and McCroskey traveled to the “Strictly for the Wicked” horrorcore concert in Southgate, Michigan.
According to the prosecutor’s account, during the early hours of September 17, 2009—around 3:00 a.m.—McCroskey killed three victims inside the home while they slept. Later that day, around 5:00 p.m., he killed the fourth victim when he arrived at the residence. Police discovered the bodies during the afternoon of September 18, 2009, after welfare checks prompted by concerns from a victim’s mother.
On September 19, 2009, officers arrested McCroskey without incident while he was sleeping in the baggage claim area at Richmond International Airport.
Victims
- Rev. Mark Alan Niederbrock (50) — Killed September 17, 2009; pastor at Walker’s Presbyterian Church in Hixburg; father of Emma; found at 505 First Avenue, Farmville, Virginia.
- Dr. Debra Sue Kelley (53) — Killed September 17, 2009; associate professor at Longwood University; resident of 505 First Avenue, Farmville, Virginia.
- Emma Kelley Niederbrock (16) — Killed September 17, 2009; daughter of Mark Niederbrock and Debra Kelley; online acquaintance of McCroskey; killed at 505 First Avenue, Farmville, Virginia.
- Melanie Grace Wells (18) — Killed September 17, 2009; friend visiting from Inwood, West Virginia; killed at 505 First Avenue, Farmville, Virginia.
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Account
