Anthony Ray Briley

Serial Killer

Anthony Ray Briley and the Briley Brothers Murder Spree

Anthony Ray Briley

Anthony Ray Briley, born February 17, 1958, in Richmond, Virginia, was the youngest of the three Briley brothers who became notorious for a succession of robberies, home invasions, assaults, rapes and murders in the Richmond area during 1979. Anthony operated primarily with his older brothers Linwood Earl Briley and James Dyral "J.B." Briley Jr., along with teenage accomplice Duncan Eric Meekins. The group became known collectively as the Briley brothers or Briley gang and is generally classified among America's serial or spree murder groups. Anthony's legal responsibility for the crimes requires an important distinction. Although he participated in a number of attacks and was ultimately convicted of four counts of first-degree murder, prosecutors were unable to prove that Anthony personally fired the fatal shots or delivered the fatal blows in the murders for which he was convicted. His older brothers, particularly Linwood, were more often identified as the principal attackers or actual killers. Anthony nevertheless willingly accompanied the group during robberies and violent crimes, helped control victims, and remained involved while murders were committed.

The Beginning of the 1979 Rampage

The first major attack directly linking Anthony to the 1979 spree occurred on March 12, 1979, at the Henrico County home of William and Virginia Bucher. Linwood approached the residence claiming that he was having automobile trouble and needed to use a telephone. Once inside, he produced a weapon and allowed Anthony and the others to enter. The Buchers were restrained while their home was searched and robbed. Before leaving, the attackers spread a flammable liquid through the residence and set the house on fire, apparently intending to leave the bound couple to die in the flames. William Bucher succeeded in freeing himself and Virginia, and both escaped before the house was consumed. Their survival made the Bucher attack an important early example of the willingness of Anthony and his companions to use potentially lethal violence even when robbery was the initial purpose of a crime. ...

Confirmed Victims: (10)

Michael McDuffie Age: (20), Date of Death: 1979-03-21

Suspected Victims:

William Bucher , Date of Death: 1979-03-12

Virginia Bucher , Date of Death: 1979-03-12

Briley Brothers - Wikipedia