A “heartless” killer was caught sobbing about missing the release of a new Grand Theft Auto video game as he was being cuffed for murdering his ex-girlfriend.
Robert Richens, 35, was sentenced Friday to life behind bars with a minimum term of 16 years and one month for the murder of his former partner, 40-year-old Rachael Vaughan, at her home in Oxfordshire, England, last May, according to police.
During his arrest, he broke down over the fact he knew he was heading to prison and would miss the release of the latest Grand Theft Auto video game.
Robert Richens was sentenced to life behind bars for the murder of his former partner, 40-year-old Rachael Vaughan, in May 2025. TVP South Oxon and Vale of White Horse/Facebook“I’m gonna miss GTA,” Richens whined to a cop, a clip shared by the Independent showed.
“Which GTA? What are you talking about, Robert?” an officer then asked him.
When the killer explained that he was beside himself over missing Grand Theft Auto VI, which was set to be released in November 2026, the officer told him he had “ages” until he had to worry about the release.
“I’m gonna get life,” Richens said through tears. “I can’t get it out of my head… I could have went on the run.”
The arresting officer was heard reporting that Richens claimed he “accidentally killed her” and knew he was “going to get life.”
Officers arrested Richens at his home early in the morning of May 30, 2025, after he called police to tell them he had killed a woman, police said in a press release.
During his arrest, police bodycam footage obtained and published by The Independent on Monday captured Richens bizarrely breaking down over missing the release of Grand Theft Auto. TVP South Oxon and Vale of White Horse/Facebook
After explaining to the cop that he was beside himself over missing Grand Theft Auto VI, which is set to be released in November 2026, the officer told him he had “ages” until he had to worry about the release. SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty ImagesRichens had punched and kicked Vaughan during a brutal attack at her home the night prior, leaving 64 sites of blunt force trauma before he cut her with a blade, prosecutors said, according to the Oxford Mail.
Authorities attempted to save Vaughan’s life, but she was ultimately pronounced dead on the scene.
Richens pleaded guilty to one count of murder at a December 2025 court hearing, cops added.
“Rachael was taken from them in the very place she should have felt safest — her own home,” Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Stuart May said in a statement.
“Robert Richens’ actions were heartless. He left Rachael alone in her house, made no attempt to help her or seek medical attention, and he only contacted police when he had nowhere else to turn,” May added.
“Today’s sentence means that Richens will now face the consequences of his merciless actions.”
