Gloria Choi, a hard-working single mother and hotel manager, was murdered by her ex-boyfriend Billy Rickman in Lakewood, Washington. Rickman stalked, harassed, and escalated violence against Gloria, including slashing tires and stealing property. Despite multiple 911 calls and a no-contact order, police failed to arrest Rickman before he forced Gloria off the road and fatally shot her. Rickman fled but was captured days later and convicted of aggravated murder. Gloria's family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Lakewood Police Department for failing to protect her.
Country: United States
State/Province: Washington, United States
City/Region: Lakewood
Incident Type: Domestic Violence Homicide
Relationship Status: Ex-partners
Relationship Duration: Approximately 8 months
Incident Date: Jan. 2, 2022
Relationship Origins:
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How the relationship or connection began.
Approximately 8 months
Important relationship phases recorded for this case.
Reported red flags or early concern points.
Contributing factors and possible motives from the available sources.
2022-01-02
Recorded relationship or case outcome.
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48 Hours - USA · Original language: English
How Gloria Choi's dream romance ended in her murder | 48 Hours
Domestic Violence
The relationship began with love bombing and quickly escalated to controlling and abusive behavior, including stalking, harassment, and physical violence. Despite legal interventions such as a no-contact order, the perpetrator continued to violate boundaries, culminating in the murder of the victim. Police failures to act on clear evidence of escalating danger contributed to the fatal outcome.
Police received multiple 911 calls and reports of stalking and harassment but failed to arrest the suspect before the murder. Surveillance footage and phone records were key evidence. The suspect fled but was captured after a multi-day manhunt. A wrongful death lawsuit against the police department is pending, alleging negligence in protecting the victim.
Defense argued police failed to investigate other suspects and noted the victim did not name Rickman explicitly in the 911 call, only referring to 'my boyfriend.' Police claimed insufficient probable cause due to lack of direct witness identification in some incidents.
Gloria Choi met Billy Rickman at her workplace in May 2021. They quickly became a couple and lived together. Rickman exhibited controlling and abusive behavior, including substance abuse and financial dependence on Gloria. Gloria attempted to leave in November 2021, obtaining a no-contact order after Rickman refused to return her truck. Despite multiple police reports and evidence of stalking and harassment, law enforcement did not arrest Rickman. On January 2, 2022, Rickman forced Gloria off the road and fatally shot her. He fled but was arrested days later in California. He was convicted of aggravated murder in 2023.
High risk due to documented stalking, possession of firearms, escalating violence, violation of no-contact orders, and the perpetrator's refusal to cease contact despite legal consequences.
Early signs of love bombing can mask abusive intentions. Documentation and legal orders may not suffice without proactive law enforcement intervention. Police response to stalking and domestic violence must prioritize victim protection and timely suspect apprehension. Failure to act on clear evidence can lead to preventable fatalities.
Repeated stalking, harassment, slashed tires, theft of property, violation of no-contact orders, and escalating threats and violence.
Surveillance footage of tire slashing, phone records showing suspect's location, victim's detailed documentation of violations, and 911 calls reporting stalking and harassment.
911 call audio, surveillance videos, phone GPS and text records, eyewitness accounts, and physical evidence from the crime scene.
Witnesses described the shooting and police extrication of Gloria. Friends reported Rickman's abusive behavior and stalking. Police officers testified about their response. Aja Hull provided background on Rickman's history of abuse and trafficking.
Follow-up reports revealed police failures to act on evidence and the existence of a seven-page document detailing violations that prosecutors did not see before trial. The wrongful death lawsuit brought new scrutiny to law enforcement's role.
Whether police could have prevented the murder if they had acted more decisively remains contested. The full extent of Rickman's support network aiding his evasion is not fully detailed.