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These murders occurred for six years from 1990 to 1996 in the west end of Richmond, Virginia. Local authorities believed them to be the work of a serial killer when up to thirteen elderly women were found murdered in similar manners. The killer targeted women in age ranges from 55 to 89 who lived alone.
His first six victims (1990-1992) all of who are African American were stabbed to death. The next seven victims (1994-1996) all of who were of caucasian decent were strangled to death. Initially it was believed up to seventeen women fell victim to this individual until four were excluded from the list after the killers in their cases were caught.
Richmond was experiencing an influx in homicide during this time period. These homicides in particular caused outrage in the community due to the vulnerability of the targeted victims. Extensive precautions were taken resulting in a dramatic increase of gun sales, doorlocks, and watch dogs. With the assistance of the police department, human rights organizations were allowed form citizens patrols. As time passed officials investigating the crimes were accused of negligence and racism when it became apparent they put more time and effort in solving the murders of the caucasion victims.
With time authorities were able to pinpoint a suspect. Leslie Burchart who was a mentally ill vagrant was arrested for trespassing in July of 1996, unexpectedly confessed to killing 3 homeless men in Richmond in which he received a life sentence. Three years later he would confess to killing four victims of The Golden Years Murders. Jane Foster, Lucille Boyd, Elizabeth Seribert, and Mammie Verlander.
Buchart described the circumstances under which the murders took place in great detail and possessed knowledge that was only known to investigators. He was never tried for the murders due to insufficient evidence to charge him with any but he would remain a prime suspect.
Buchart would suddenly recant his confessions and proclaim his innocence shortly before his death in 2002 claiming he only wanted to become a celebrity serial killer. Since then his accountability in the deaths have been heavily debated with some believing he indeed is the killer. Others would support his claims of innocence highlighting his mental illness (schizophrenia) makes his confessions incredible.
In 2013 retired police detective Ron Reed who played a part in the arrest and conducting interviews with Buchart stated his belief that Buchart likely killed more people than those he was convicted of. He named 81 year old Rachel Henshaw who died in a nursing home on June 20, 1996 and William R. Merill, a homeless man Buchart apparently strangled with his own shirt on June 18th as likely victims. As higher ups feared more negative publicity damaging the police departments reputation, Reed claimed he was forced to classify Bucharts testimony. A few days later the police department would deny the claims but stated that Merill and Henshaw did die in June of 1996. However, there were no signs of foul play in either death as forensics determined Merill died of alcohol poisoning and Henshaw of natural causes.
Conclusion: A majority of the murders remain unsolved while Bucharts culpability in the murders remain debatable. If Buchart is responsible for the killings he's admitted to, it leaves the possibility of the remaining cases being perpetrated by unrelated offenders. Many locals sense that a killer is still on the loose.
The Golden Years victims list:
1. Mabel Veneble-89 (July 1, 1990-Stabbed)
2. Eva Jones-80 (October 2, 1990-Stabbed)
3. Mary Coffee-61 (October 3, 1990-Stabbed)
4. Robinette Mickleberry-61 (May 6, 1991- Stabbed)
5. Pearl Gash-85 (December 17, 1991-Stabbed)
6. Martha Bolden-81 (May 21, 1992-Stabbed)
7.Phyliss G. Harris-59 (August 16, 1994- Strangled)
8. Ines J. Childress-82 (September 14, 1994- Strangled)
9. Lucille G. Boyd-75 (January 1, 1996-Strangled)
10. Gertrude Gardener-77 (February 2, 1996- Strangled)
11. Mammie Harris Verlander-84 (March 28, 1996-Strangled)
12. Elizabeth Seribert-69 (April 23, 1996- Strangled)
13. Jane E. Foster-55 (April 24, 1996-Strangled
