Who is Robert Richens? Oxford murdered more worried about GTA 6 release than his arrest

In a chilling incident, a man from Oxford has been sentenced to life in prison after admitting to the murder of his ex-partner and telling police he would miss playing the video game Grand Theft Auto VI, a.k.a. GTA 6. Amid the long wait for the game to release, the news has left the community and fans in shock and has now sparked major discussion online. But before getting to that, let's find out who is Robert Richens, the man behind the murder?



An Oxford man has been sentenced to life imprisonment after admitting to the murder of his partner, in a case that shocked both the local community and law enforcement with its unusual details. In the early hours of 30 May 2025, Richens contacted emergency services from his Luther Street home to report that he had killed someone.

During the call, which was later played in court, he said, "You're not going to believe this. I think I accidentally killed someone." As the operator sought further details, Richens expressed a form of remorse, adding, "I am being honest because I am ashamed of what I have done." Police were dispatched immediately.

When officers arrived, they found the victim unresponsive inside the home, and despite the efforts of emergency responders, she was pronounced dead at the scene.



Later, the body-worn camera footage presented in the court showed Richens' unusual response after his arrest. While visibly distressed in the back of a police vehicle, he suddenly remarked, "I'm going to miss GTA and that." When asked which game he meant, he clarified, 'GTA 6.'

Then the officer informed him that the game would not be released for several more months. It was then that Richens appeared to fully comprehend the gravity of his situation, exclaiming, “Ah, I am going to get life.”

As soon as the post surfaced on social media, it quickly sparked discussion online. One Reddit user wrote, "I mean, all he had to do to avoid missing GTA 6 was not murder someone. Admittedly a huge ask."

Another wrote, "I’m saving my murder for GTA 6, personally. Bottle that rage, gentleman."

"I know people are making jokes in the comments, but it actually shocks me that someone can just end another person's life, and instead of reflecting on what they just did, they care more about a couple of pixels on a screen. I can't imagine how that girl's family is feeling," another added.

One said, "I guess the silver lining is by the time he gets out, GTA 7 will almost be ready."

While one said, "Yeah, but he murdered her in the United Kingdom; the worst-case scenario gets 15 years, and he's out in time for Elder Scrolls."



Robert Richens, 35, confessed to murdering his partner, Rachael Vaughan, but stunned police when his emotional outburst in custody focused on missing the release of a video game rather than the life he had taken.

Richens was charged on the same day and subsequently pleaded guilty to murder in December. This week, he was sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum term of 16 years and one month.