20/20: The After Show – “One Last Call” | Podcast

Key Concepts

• Taurus Judge: A rare firearm capable of firing both bullets and shotgun shells, which served as the primary forensic link in the investigation.
• Conspiracy to Commit Murder: The legal charge brought against the perpetrators, alleging a coordinated effort to kill the victim.
• Forensic Ballistics: The science of matching recovered bullets to specific firearms to identify the weapon used in a crime.
• Digital Forensics: The analysis of phone records and communication logs used to establish timelines and relationships between suspects.
• Victim Impact: The long-term psychological and emotional toll on surviving family members, particularly when the perpetrators are close relatives.

1. Case Overview and Background

The case centers on the murder of Robert "Robbie" Door, a 28-year veteran firefighter in Evansville, Indiana, who was gunned down in his driveway on February 26, 2019. Door was a highly respected community figure, known for his heroism, including a widely publicized rescue of a baby from a burning building. Despite his status as a local hero, he was murdered in a calculated, cold-blooded attack that left his family and the community in shock.

2. The Investigation and Forensic Breakthroughs

• The Weapon: Investigators initially struggled to find physical evidence at the crime scene. However, the recovery of a bullet led them to a Taurus Judge, a unique firearm.
• The Link: Police discovered that a Taurus Judge had been recently stolen from a local pawn shop. An employee at that shop, Larry Richmond Jr., was the son of Larry Richmond Sr., who was engaged to the victim’s sister-in-law, Mandy.
• Digital Evidence: Investigators analyzed phone records and identified a critical phone call between the victim's wife, Becky Door, and Larry Richmond Sr. just minutes before the murder. Becky’s failure to disclose this call during initial questioning became a pivotal point of suspicion for law enforcement.

3. The "Smoking Gun" and Motive

Months into the investigation, a significant piece of evidence was discovered by Becky’s son, Nathaniel Guthrie. While sorting through sympathy cards, he found a note inside a card from Mandy that read, "We need to talk," signed by Larry. This note, combined with the previously identified phone call, solidified the theory of collusion between Becky and Larry. While the prosecution did not need to prove a specific motive, they alleged that an affair between the two led them to conspire to remove Robert from the picture, potentially to gain access to his pension and end the marriage.

4. Legal Outcomes and Sentencing

Both Becky Door and Larry Richmond Sr. were convicted of the murder.

• Becky Door: Sentenced to 60 years for murder and an additional 30 years for conspiracy to commit murder.
• Larry Richmond Sr.: Sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

5. Family Dynamics and Testimonies

The case caused a profound fracture within the family:

• Nathaniel Guthrie: Becky’s son served as a star witness for the prosecution, testifying against his mother and effectively severing their relationship.
• Larry Richmond Jr.: The son of the perpetrator, he was forced to testify against his own father, an experience he described as leaving him feeling "broken."
• Mandy: The sister of Becky and fiancée of Larry Sr., she remains an innocent party who has been ostracized by some due to her association with the perpetrators. She continues to struggle with the cognitive dissonance of loving individuals who committed such a heinous act.

6. Notable Quotes

• Mandy (on her conflicting feelings): "I know it’s supposed to make me scared of him. I know it’s supposed to make me hate him... but it doesn’t. He was my protector."
• Becky Door (from prison): "I’m innocent... don’t you think that I would want to have the person that killed Robbie brought to justice? It’s not me, though."

7. Synthesis and Conclusion

The murder of Robert Door serves as a tragic example of how hidden betrayals and secret relationships can destroy a family from within. The case highlights the effectiveness of modern investigative techniques—specifically the intersection of ballistics and digital communication tracking—in solving crimes where no immediate witnesses are present. Ultimately, the story underscores the enduring, complex, and often painful nature of familial bonds, even in the wake of devastating criminal acts.