Richard Lee Gibson. Credit: James City
A 1987 case that went cold has been solved, resulting in charges being brought against Richard Lee Gibson after advancements in DNA technology provided crucial evidence to complete a suspect profile. Gibson was indicted by a Williamsburg/James City County Grand Jury for numerous charges stemming from an abduction/rape case that occurred in 1987. The department has relentlessly pursued this case, and police encourage anyone who may have been victimized by Gibson to come forward and seek justice.
On Dec. 10, 1987, an unknown assailant abducted an individual and committed various sexual offenses in a section of the Midlands Apartment Complex that was under construction. Despite diligent investigation, a suspect profile was not established, and the case reached an impasse after exhausting all investigative leads.
In February 2019, Detective Rice was assigned to the case, thoroughly reviewing all documentation and re-submitting the evidence to the Virginia Department of Forensic Services (DFS). With advancements in forensic technology, there was renewed hope for a breakthrough. In October 2019, the submitted DNA mixture profile produced no matches in the Virginia DNA Data Bank, prompting periodic searches against both the Virginia and National DNA Data Banks.
On Aug. 4, 2023, DFS contacted the James City County Police to report that the suspect’s DNA profile developed in the case matched the DNA profile of Richard Lee Gibson, which was found in the National DNA Data Bank. Gibson was already incarcerated at the Virginia Peninsula Regional Jail for a 2022 sexual offense in the City of Williamsburg; Gibson's DNA profile was entered into the DNA database following this arrest and would trigger a match.
Following this lead, investigators obtained and executed a search warrant for known DNA from Gibson and sent it to DFS for comparison. On Sep. 7, 2023, DFS confirmed the DNA match. After nearly four decades, the suspect profile was complete, and an offender was identified.
On March 20, 2024, a Grand Jury indicted Gibson for Rape, Abduction with Intent to Defile, two counts of Inanimate Object Penetration, two counts of Sodomy, and Aggravated Sexual Battery for his involvement in the Dec. 10, 1987, offense. James City County Police served the indictments to Gibson at VPRJ on March 27; the first court appearance is scheduled for April 1.
Police urge anyone with information about Gibson or who may have been victimized to come forward, as other cold cases involving him may exist. The special bulletin below provides photos of Gibson from 1996-2023 to aid potential victims in identifying him, as his appearance has changed over that time frame.
The department hopes this arrest can bring solace and closure to the victim, their family, and loved ones. The department commends the work of our current detectives and former investigators and is grateful for the efforts of DFS that assist law enforcement in solving crimes.
Republished courtesy of James City County