Linwood Earl Briley was born on March 26, 1954, in Richmond, Virginia, to James Dyral Briley Sr. and Bertha. He grew up in the Highland Park neighborhood of Richmond along with his brothers, James and Anthony. Their oldest brother, Edward Jerome "Boot," left the family home during his early teen years to live with relatives in North Carolina. He was not part of the younger brothers' later activities.

As children, Linwood and his brothers were known by their neighbors as helpful young boys. They would assist with repairs on cars or mow lawns for the elderly. The brothers had a unique hobby; they collected exotic pets like tarantulas, piranhas, and boa constrictors. Their mother and father had a difficult relationship, which led to their separation when the boys were teenagers. After the split, Bertha moved away, leaving James Dyral Briley Sr. as the only parent the brothers seemed to respect. James Sr. was protective and kept his bedroom door locked at night.

On January 28, 1971, Linwood Earl Briley, at the age of 16, shot and killed his neighbor, Orline Christian. He used a rifle and fired from his bedroom window while she hung laundry outside. Initially, her death appeared to be from natural causes, but family members noticed a small wound during the viewing. This led to a second examination that revealed a bullet wound. A detective determined the bullet came from the Briley home. They found the rifle there, and Linwood admitted to the shooting, claiming it was an accident. He was sentenced to one year in a reform school.

In 1979, Linwood and his brothers, James and Anthony, along with accomplice Duncan Eric Meekins, began a violent spree of random killings that lasted seven months. Their first attack was on March 12, 1979. Linwood knocked on the door of William and Virginia Bucher, claiming car trouble. Once inside, he held them at gunpoint and forced Anthony to join him. They tied up the couple and ransacked the house, setting it on fire while they escaped with stolen items. The Buchers managed to escape unharmed.

On March 21, Michael W. McDuffie, a vending machine serviceman, was shot and robbed in his home. Ten days later, on March 31, Linwood killed Edric Alvin Clark over a drug dispute. The Briley brothers continued their spree, following and attacking 76-year-old Mary Gowen on April 9, where they robbed and killed her.

On July 4, they murdered 17-year-old Christopher Philips after suspecting him of attempted theft. On September 14, they kidnapped disc jockey John Harvey "Johnny G." Gallaher after he stepped outside a nightclub. He was taken to Mayo Island, where he was shot in the head and his body was dumped into the river.

On September 30, Linwood beat 62-year-old Mary Wilfong to death with a baseball bat outside her apartment. They then robbed her home. A few days later, on October 5, they murdered Blanche Page and her boarder, Charles Garner, in a brutal attack involving multiple weapons.

The final murders occurred on October 19 when the brothers targeted the Wilkerson family. Harvey Wilkerson, his pregnant wife Judy Diane Barton, and her 5-year-old son were overpowered and bound. Linwood assaulted Judy before the accomplice shot the entire family, killing them all.

The police apprehended all the brothers shortly after the murders. During interrogation, Meekins turned against them, leading to their convictions. Linwood received multiple life sentences and was sentenced to death for the murder of Gallaher. He and J.B. were executed in the electric chair, Linwood on October 12, 1984, and J.B. on April 18, 1985. Anthony received a life sentence and remains incarcerated.