Michael Goeman

In the spring of 2021, Michael Goeman, a 59-year-old Caucasian man, and his 31-year-old son, Vance Lakey, were living on the streets together in the area of Auburn, Washington. Their situation seemed poised to change after Michael received a large inheritance. But shortly after coming into the money, both father and son vanished, their lives cut short in what would become a sprawling homicide investigation.

In March 2021, the bodies of Michael and his son were discovered in a remote, overgrown area off an unmaintained county road in Algona. Both men had been shot to death. Found near their bodies were two small shovels, a detail that hinted at the sinister ruse used to lure them to their deaths. The discovery launched an investigation that soon connected their murders to a wider, disturbing pattern.

Investigators quickly identified Richard Walter Bradley, a 40-year-old convicted felon, as a person of interest. In the days following the disappearances of Michael and Vance, Bradley was seen driving their Dodge Durango and motorcycle. After the SUV was impounded by police, Bradley allegedly offered an associate $1,000 to break into the tow lot and set the vehicle on fire. The man did not go through with the arson, and in May 2021, Bradley was arrested and charged in connection with the attempt.

As the investigation deepened, prosecutors alleged that Bradley had a common scheme. He would tell individuals who had recently acquired large sums of money that he had buried gold from a previous heist and needed their help to dig it up. Instead of treasure, his victims were murdered, and he would steal their vehicles and other possessions. Authorities believe this was the story he used to entice Michael Goeman and Vance Lakey, as well as at least two other people: Brandi Blake, who had recently won $20,000 at a casino, and Emilio Raul Maturin.

Bradley was already in jail awaiting trial for the murder of Brandi Blake when prosecutors expanded the case against him. In December 2023, the arson case related to the Goeman investigation was amended to include two counts of second-degree murder for the deaths of Michael and his son. In total, Bradley now faces two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of second-degree murder. He pleaded not guilty to the charges in December 2023, and the case is pending trial.