Richard Anthony Grissom Jr. was born on November 10, 1960, in South Korea, on an American military base. He was the son of a U.S. soldier and a South Korean woman. Shortly after his birth, his biological family gave him up to an orphanage. Three years later, he was adopted by Richard Grissom Sr., a U.S. Army Sergeant, and his wife Fredonia, who was African American. Richard and his new family moved to the United States where they traveled to various states before settling in Kansas.

His early childhood was not well documented, but in the mid-1970s, the family moved to Leavenworth, Kansas. Richard enrolled at Leavenworth High School. He was known as a friendly, good-looking, and smart student. He often received As and Bs in his classes. He played as a halfback on the school's football team. Some reports suggest that he may have suffered abuse from his father during his upbringing.

After high school, he faced various challenges. In January 1977, when he was just 16 years old, he had a fight with his parents that led him to leave home. During this time, he committed a serious crime, which resulted in his arrest and conviction. After being found guilty, he was sent to a juvenile center.

Grissom was released from the center in 1980. He then enrolled at Kansas State University. While there, he participated in different sports and worked at a local fast food restaurant. Unfortunately, during his time at college, he also faced legal troubles, including theft. In 1982, he was charged for stealing money, which led to a probation sentence.

On January 27, 1977, Richard Grissom left his home after an argument with his parents. He stole a railroad spike and broke into the home of his 72-year-old neighbor, Hazel Meeker. He brutally attacked her and fled the scene. Later that day, he broke into another home and stole a handgun. Hazel Meeker's granddaughter found her grandmother dead and called the police. The police followed footprints in the snow that led them to where Grissom was hiding in a trailer park. They arrested him as he tried to bury the stolen handgun in the snow.

While in custody, Grissom confessed to killing Hazel. He was convicted in April 1977 and sent to a Boys Industrial Center in Topeka. After escaping with two other boys in February 1979 and committing another break-in, they were soon recaptured. Grissom was released in 1980 and enrolled in college.

In June 1989, Grissom was in a relationship with Terri Renee Maness. She was found murdered in her apartment. Shortly after, three young women went missing in Johnson County, Kansas. Joan Marie Butler was last seen on June 18. Her rental car was found abandoned, with blood inside. Two days later, roommates Theresa Brown and Christine Rusch disappeared after hosting a party.

Grissom became a suspect when he was seen on surveillance using Butler's bank card. He was later connected to the missing women through witnesses and DNA evidence found in his car. On July 7, 1989, the FBI arrested him in Texas. Police charged him with multiple counts of murder and robbery.

During the trial in March 1990, Grissom pleaded not guilty. The case drew public attention due to its seriousness and the details surrounding it. After deliberation, the jury found Grissom guilty of all charges, and he was sentenced to four life terms in prison.

In prison, Grissom attempted to engage with people outside through an Internet pen pal group. Over the years, he faced some controversies, including being accused of inappropriate behavior. As of 2024, he remains incarcerated at El Dorado Correctional Facility and will not be eligible for parole until 2093.

The bodies of the three young women have never been found. Despite investigations and searches, Grissom has not revealed their locations. He also remains the primary suspect in Terri Renee Maness's murder, but her body has also never been recovered.