Retired Richmond detective opens up on investigating 2006 murder spree

RICHMOND, VA (WWBT) - She stood front and center at the height of a murder spree that rocked Richmond. Now a retired Richmond homicide detective is opening up on how she responded during the gut-wrenching investigation into the seven murders at the hands of Ricky Gray and Ray Dandridge. It comes as one of the killers prepares to be put to death.

As Dandridge serves a life in prison sentence, his partner in crime, Ricky Gray will be executed in just a matter of weeks.

"It takes your breath away…It was the worst, horrible homicide scene I had ever seen," said Lisa Beadles.

That's in the 21 years of her career. The retired Richmond detective remembers being called to the scene where Bryan and Kathryn Harvey and their two daughters were found dead in their burning home.

"Firemen and police, we're supposed to be tough skinned superheroes. I saw people that I knew for 20 years sitting on a fire truck with tears running down their face," Beadles recalls.

The details – NBC 12 won't share out of respect for their families.

"They wouldn't sleep at night. I know we didn't sleep at night," she said.

Little did she know, detectives were just getting started.

"What really broke the case wide open was the Baskerville homicide," Beadles said.

Just a week later, a family of three killed - one of the victims, Ashley Baskerville - an accomplice in Gray and Dandridge's crime spree.

"They would never explain why…It shows you they don't have a heart. It's all about them."

Beadles was upset to learn Gray recently questioned his execution scheduled for Jan. 18, calling it a violation of his constitutional rights.

"The people of the city of Richmond where this crime took place spoke, and we should carry out what the order is: Jan 18. Hopefully, there will be closure for everybody involved."

Especially those closest to the many who lost their lives.

"Maybe they'll get a little peace and quiet," Beadles said.

And maybe the same for a retired detective who played her part in carrying out justice.

"Jan. 1, I go by the house every year. I will never forget it," she said.

In the more than 100 homicides Beadles has worked, she says all but two have been solved.

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