Man accused of killing 4 people allegedly lured them by telling them they’d dig up gold

SEATTLE (TCD) -- A man who was arrested two years ago on suspicion of killing a woman has been charged with three additional counts of murder after he allegedly lured victims into the woods by telling them he wanted their help to dig up stolen gold.

The Associated Press reports the King County Prosecutor’s Office charged Richard Bradley Jr. with allegedly killing Michael Goeman, his son Vance Lakey, and Emilio Maturin. He has already been charged on suspicion of killing Brandi Blake, who died from blunt force trauma. Bradley was reportedly just weeks away from heading to court for Blake’s murder trial.

Blake went missing May 5, 2021, after she allegedly met up with Bradley and his wife at a hotel because Bradley purportedly asked her to help sell some gold he stole, according to the Federal Way Mirror. Blake and Bradley reportedly drove to a Walgreens in her Mustang. Later that day, Bradley reportedly drove her car to a hotel, but she was not in the vehicle with him.

Blake won $20,000 from a casino shortly before she disappeared. On May 21, 2021, police executed a search warrant at Bradley’s RV and uncovered several pounds of drugs, three guns, 1,000 Percocet pills, and a receipt from the Walgreens he and Blake went to. Five days later, investigators discovered Blake’s body "face-down in a shallow, poorly covered grave."

The Federal Way Mirror reports detectives found a pickax, shovel, and hotel room key near Blake’s body.

Court documents cited by The Associated Press say Maturin’s girlfriend told police she heard Bradley talk to Maturin because he "needed help digging up some buried gold in Auburn." Maturin was allegedly carrying $15,000 in cash when he disappeared in July 2019.

Investigators also discovered three ribs about 30 feet from Blake’s body. Those remains were later identified as Maturin’s.

Goeman and Lakey were fatally shot in March 2021, and their bodies were found close to the same park where Blake and Maturin's remains were located. Goeman reportedly came into a large amount of money not long before he and his son were killed. According to the Federal Way Mirror, Goeman and Lakey both sustained gunshot wounds to the head.

Prosecutors reportedly believe Bradley convinced the victims to come to the woods to dig up gold, killed them, and stole their vehicles.

Bradley is also facing arson and firearms charges.

MORE:

• Prosecutors say Washington state man charged in 4 murders lured victims with promise of buried gold - The Associated Press
• Kent man charged with murder after body of missing Federal Way woman found in Auburn park, 6/4/2021 - Federal Way Mirror
• Kent man charged with murder, arson after 3 bodies found in 2 locations, 6/5/2021 - KING-TV