Bio

James P. Riva was born in 1957. He had a challenging childhood that set the stage for his later actions. Riva grew up in Marshfield, Massachusetts. He had a complicated relationship with his family, particularly with his mother, Janet S. Jones. Reports suggest that she may have been abusive towards him, which might have affected his mental health.

From a young age, Riva struggled with his mental health. He started exhibiting troubling behavior in his early school years. By the time he was in elementary school, he was drawing disturbing pictures. As he grew older, he began to develop a fascination with violence and blood.

Between 1975 and 1978, Riva spent time in various mental health institutions. His mental illness continued to impact his life as he became increasingly isolated. He was known to be a loner, often roaming the countryside at night.

At some point, Riva began to believe fantastical ideas about vampires. He developed an obsession with the notion that his disabled grandmother, Carmen Lopez, was a vampire who was stealing his blood while he slept. This belief fed into his troubled state of mind and contributed to the extreme actions he later took.

Riva had moved into his grandmother's home for a short time while she was hospitalized. He lived there until two weeks before a tragic event in April 1980 when he committed a horrific crime. His early life was marked by mental health struggles, isolation, and a growing disconnect from reality.

Murder Story

On April 10, 1980, James P. Riva committed a violent act against his grandmother, Carmen Lopez, who was 74 years old and disabled. Riva shot her twice in her wheelchair using guns loaded with golden bullets. He also stabbed her several times in the heart. After the attack, Riva attempted to destroy evidence by setting fire to her body and her home in Marshfield, Massachusetts.

Following the murder, Riva told various people about his reasoning for the crime. He claimed that he was a 700-year-old vampire who needed to drink his grandmother's blood to survive. He believed that she was actually a vampire who drained blood from him while he slept. Riva’s obsession with this idea had grown over time, and he thought that by killing her, he was fulfilling commands he believed were given to him by other vampires.

Riva was arrested the day after the murder and charged with second-degree murder and arson. During his time in court, his mother testified that he admitted to her that he committed the act because he thought he was a vampire. His trial began in October 1981, and after deliberating for three hours, the jury found him guilty on all charges. He received a life sentence for the murder and additional years for the arson charge.

James Riva's mental health had been a significant focus during his trial. He had a history of mental illness, which included time spent in mental health institutions. Despite claiming he had changed and taking part in therapy while in prison, Riva's requests for parole have been repeatedly denied. The parole board has cited concerns about his mental state and the nature of the crime when making decisions about his release.