Bio 

Richard Alden Samuel McCroskey III was born on December 23, 1988, in California and later lived in Castro Valley. He was described as socially withdrawn and spent much of his time online, focused on music, art, and horror-themed interests.

He left school before graduating and became involved in the horrorcore music scene, where he performed under the name “Syko Sam.” Through that online community, he met Emma Neiderbrock and began a long-distance relationship with her.

In September 2009, McCroskey traveled to Virginia to visit Emma after months of online contact. Prosecutors later said problems in that relationship became the motive for the murders that followed.

Murder Story

In September 2009, Richard McCroskey traveled from California to Farmville, Virginia, to stay with Emma Neiderbrock and her family. During the visit, McCroskey, Emma, Emma’s mother Debra Kelley, father Mark Neiderbrock, and friend Melanie Wells also attended a horrorcore music festival in Michigan.

After returning to Virginia, prosecutors said McCroskey became increasingly upset about his relationship with Emma. He reportedly believed they were in an exclusive relationship and was angry after reading text messages that did not match his expectations.

During the early hours of September 15, 2009, McCroskey armed himself with a hammer and wood-splitting maul. Prosecutors said he first killed Melanie Wells while she slept on a couch, then killed Debra Kelley in an upstairs room, and then killed Emma Neiderbrock in her bedroom. Investigators said the attacks were sudden and the victims showed little or no defensive wounds.

McCroskey remained inside the house for about two days after the killings. On September 17, Mark Neiderbrock came to the home to check on the others. Prosecutors said McCroskey attacked and killed him with the same weapon. He later moved bodies within the house and attempted to clean parts of the crime scene.

Police first visited the residence after concerns were raised by Melanie Wells’ mother, who had not heard from her daughter. McCroskey answered the door and gave false explanations. When officers returned, they discovered the bodies inside the home.

By then, McCroskey had fled in Mark Neiderbrock’s vehicle. He was located on September 18, 2009, sleeping in the baggage claim area of Richmond International Airport while attempting to return to California.

He was later charged with multiple counts of murder. On September 20, 2010, Richard McCroskey pleaded guilty to the four killings. In exchange for the plea agreement, he received life imprisonment rather than facing a capital trial and possible death sentence.

The Farmville murders drew national attention because of the brutality of the crimes, the online relationship that preceded them, and the number of victims killed inside a family home.