“I don’t think people realize how hard it is to live with that over your head and on your mind and in your life constantly,” Judi Richardson explained. “People forget, they just do. Family forgets, even. Nobody thinks about it, but it’s always on your mind. Is today going to be the day someone is going to call? Is someone going to turn up? Is someone going to come forward?”
Since that night in January 2010 when a masked intruder fired several rounds into Darien Richardson’s bedroom, Judi Richardson and her family have waited for the call that would bring them closure and justice in Darien’s still unsolved murder.
In Part 1 of this two part series, we got to know Darien through the eyes of her mother, and we heard about the painful, emotional road to recovery after suffering two gunshot wounds that was then unexpectedly cut short.
With Darien’s passing, Portland Police had a homicide investigation on their hands. A clue still lodged in Darien’s hip would lead them to the first big break in the case, but a break that would only take them so far when a loophole left the investigation stalled at a frustrating dead end.
Press play to hear Part 2 of Darien’s story.
Take Action
The family and friends of Darien Richardson are offering a $15,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and indictment of the person or persons responsible for her death. Anyone with information regarding Darien Richardson’s murder is asked to contact the Detective Division of the Portland Police Department at (207) 874-8479 or at www.portland-police.com.
Please take a moment to share this post on Facebook to get the reward poster circulating again.
You can support the foundation in Darien’s name, Remembering Darien, via PayPal and on Facebook.
Episode Source Material
Thank you, Judi, for sharing your memories and stories of Darien with me.
- Judi and Wayne Richardson, Moments That Survive: Remembering Darien
- Darien Leigh Richardson Obituary
- Woman’s death linked to gunshot by David Hench, Bangor Daily News, 05 Mar 2010
- Police identify shooting suspect from bite mark by Trevor Maxwell, Portland Press Herald, 17 Feb 2010
- Unsolved murder frustrates parents, detective by Duke Harrington, Portland Press Herald, 19 Oct 2011
- Gun in homicide linked to other Maine killing, Bangor Daily News, 21 Jul 2011
- Cold-case reward of $10K offered in 2010 death of South Portland woman by David Harry, Portland Press Herald, 23 July 2012
- Parents offer $10,000 reward in Portland cold case by Kelley Bouchard, Portland Press Herald, 23 Jul 2012
- Gun loophole cited in unsolved Portland killing by David Hench, Portland Press Herald, 08 Jan 2013
- Boyfriend of Portland cold-case victim arrested on gun charge by Scott Dolan, Portland Press Herald, 20 Nov 2014
- Family, friends remember Portland woman killed five years ago, Portland Press Herald, 04 Apr 2015
- Portland investigation hopes to solve 2010 murder, Associated Press, Portland Press Herald, 12 Jan 2017
- Unsolved Homicides: Darien Richardson wasn’t supposed to die by Kristina Rex, News Center Maine, 12 Feb 2018