Billy Rickman convicted of aggravated murder as lawsuit against Lakewood Police continues
Updated
Updated · CBS New York · May 3
Billy Rickman convicted of aggravated murder as lawsuit against Lakewood Police continues
5 articles · Updated · CBS New York · May 3
Rickman received life without parole for killing Gloria Choi in Washington in January 2022, and her family's wrongful death case remained unresolved as of May 2026.
Prosecutors said he stalked Choi, violated a no-contact order, tracked her movements and shot her 14 times after forcing her vehicle off the road.
The family's lawyer alleges Lakewood officers failed to arrest Rickman despite repeated reports, while the city has argued police had no duty to search for him if he was absent.
Could Gloria Choi's murder have been prevented if police took her tech-based stalking reports more seriously?
How are Washington State's new court rule proposals and legal reforms addressing the failures exposed by Gloria Choi's case?
With AirTags linked to rising stalking cases, are tech companies and law enforcement truly prepared to protect vulnerable victims?
Gloria Choi’s Murder and 11 Ignored Police Complaints: A Tragic Failure of Domestic Violence Protection
Overview
After their breakup in fall 2021, William Rickman began stalking Gloria Choi, who obtained a no-contact order and repeatedly reported his violations to police. Despite clear threats and multiple complaints, law enforcement failed to act, allowing Rickman to murder Choi in January 2022. Rickman was convicted and sentenced to life in prison, while Choi's estate filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the City of Lakewood, alleging police negligence. The case gained renewed national attention with a 2026 '48 Hours' episode, fueling public scrutiny and advocacy efforts that have driven legislative reforms aimed at strengthening protections for domestic violence survivors. However, the lawsuit remains unresolved, highlighting ongoing challenges in accountability and systemic change.