Bio

Richard Allan Labatt was born in 1972 and lived in Sacramento County, California. By the late 1990s, he was married to Trina Labatt. They had two sons, Bradley and Cody, and lived in the Laguna area of Elk Grove, near Sacramento.

The Labatt family lived next door to Stephen and Melissa La Franco, who had two young daughters. Both families moved into the neighborhood around the same time in 1996 and became close. Their children often spent time together, and neighbors saw the families as friendly and ordinary.

Over time, both marriages began to fall apart. Stephen La Franco had separated from his wife, Melissa, and Richard Labatt had also separated from Trina. Richard and Trina’s separation was more troubled. In May 1999, Richard was accused of slapping Trina during an argument. He was later charged with misdemeanor battery, and a warrant was issued for his arrest in June 1999.

After Richard moved out, Trina began a relationship with Stephen La Franco. People who knew them said both couples had already separated before the relationship began. Authorities later identified Richard’s anger over this relationship as the main reason behind the murders.

Murder Story

On the evening of August 19, 1999, Richard Labatt drove to his former family home on Laguna Pointe Way near Sacramento, California. He arrived in a Mercedes convertible and carried a licensed 9 mm pistol. Shortly after 7:30 p.m., Stephen La Franco answered the door. Labatt shot him in the head, then entered the house and shot his estranged wife, Trina Labatt. Trina died at the scene.

Labatt then went upstairs, where his sons, 9-year-old Bradley and 5-year-old Cody, were with Stephen La Franco’s two daughters, Samantha and Jessica. Labatt told the two girls to leave the room. After they left, he shot both of his sons.

After killing his wife and sons and shooting Stephen La Franco, Labatt shot himself in the head. His body was found near Bradley’s body. Jessica La Franco escaped and went to a neighbor, Mindy Kohler, who called 911. Stephen La Franco was still alive when help arrived, but he later died at UC Davis Medical Center. Cody Labatt also survived for several hours but died the next afternoon.

The four victims were Trina Labatt, Bradley Labatt, Cody Labatt, and Stephen La Franco. Since Richard Labatt died at the scene, there was no arrest, trial, or conviction. The case was recorded as a murder-suicide connected to domestic violence, separation, and Richard’s anger over Trina’s relationship with Stephen La Franco.