The Antelope Valley Times

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Victims ID’d in Palmdale triple homicide

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PALMDALE – Authorities have released the names of three family members found dead inside a home in Palmdale, each with traumatic injuries in a case investigators are calling a triple homicide.

The bodies of 78-year-old Richard Gardner II, his wife 56-year-old Pepper Gardner, and 52-year-old Richard Gardner III were discovered about 3:50 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13, in the 1100 block of West Avenue N-12,  according to a news release by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

A family member asked for a welfare check of the home and upon entering the residence, deputies found the body of a man, then two more victims in another room, according to the Sheriff’s Information Bureau.

“Investigators are still processing the scene and following up on information related to a possible suspect on the case,” the sheriff’s news release states.

No information has been released on what may have led to the killings or about a possible suspect.

No additional information is being released at this time. Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. To remain, anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS [8477].

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Filed Under: Crime/ Safety

17 comments for "Victims ID’d in Palmdale triple homicide"

  1. I knew Richard the son .Genuine , has a positive attitude. Richard clean my windows at my Business. RIP Richard !

  3. We will all miss Richard at panda express!!! Always joking around and telling us motivational things, and always putting a smile on our faces. Such a hard working and sweet man. RIP :(

  4. Richard Jr. was homeless for a while but always stayed self-employed who worked for his money and never begged. Riding up and down Palmdale and Lancaster on his bicycle with “D.O.G.” his rescue dog, cleaning windows and struggling to break even with life. Met him once and you could tell he was a genuinely nice person who had one joke after another. Despite the hardship, he always maintained an optimistic attitude and continued. Really wished he got his big break from all the hard work he put in but instead this happens. He will be missed and hope his case is brought to justice.

  5. I’ve known the son, Richard III, for several years through his church and he was an incredibly sweet and caring man. He was always going out of his way to help people and he always had a joke to make you smile.

    That this happened to him and his family is beyond shocking and it’s a heinous and disturbing act committed by disgusting garbage. I hope the authorities quickly catch whoever is responsible and bring them to justice.

  6. Not jumping to conclusions but his wife was his son’s age… maybe the daughter that called it in for welfare check was the one? Maybe he is on the sexual preditor list for attacking her the daughters friends? Maybe she gets a big check and revenge in one? I feel a deep intuition it was a family member who did it. Strange evil world we live in.

  7. Don’t know what happened here – but Richard Golden Gardner, the elder is on the sex offender registry.

    • Could be part of the extended story, but also remember a person can end up on that registry for a few reasons not at all related to actual sexual encounter or underage. (We all know our minds go there and prejudge when we see the list)

  8. So sad. The younger Richard was the gentleman that used to ride his bike around town cleaning windows of local businesses. On back of his bike was a little carrier where he would keep his window cleaning supplies. He would take his dog with him as well. Very nice man that wouldn’t harm anyone.

    • Oh, wow….I remember seeing this guy ride his bike with that little silver trailer he had attached….poor guy and his family.