Investigators researching whether music factor in Farmville slayings

As more details emerge relating to the quadruple murder last week in Farmville, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported investigators are looking into whether music could have been a factor in the slayings.

On Sept. 18 four bodies were found at the home of Longwood professor Debra Kelley, a 1978 VCU graduate. The bodies were identified Tuesday morning by Prince Edward Commonwealth’s Attorney as those of Debra Kelly, 53, her estranged husband Pastor Mark Niederbrock, 50, their daughter Emma Niederbrock, 16, and her friend Melanie Wells, 18. He said that the cause of death for each was determined to be blunt force trauma to the head.

Richard Samuel Alden McCroskey III, who is a suspect in all four killings, was taken into custody Saturday at Richmond International Airport. So far, McCroskey has been charged with first-degree murder of Mark Niederbrock, robbery and grand larceny.

McCroskey, 20, is from Castro Valley, Calif., and is a horrorcore musician, a genre noted for its violent lyrics and graphic depictions of murder. His performing name is LiLdEmOnDoG, and his Myspace Web page states he is also a graphic designer and promoter for Wicked Intent Records and Serial Killin Records.

“Horrorcore music is a sub-genre of rap, which has to do a lot more with horrific things and more satanic lyrics,” said Brice Maddox, hip-hop director for WVCW radio.

Maddox said examples of the genre include Insane Clown Posse, and some tracks by Geto Boys and GraveDiggaz.

“Horrorcore was relevant around the mid-’90s,” Maddox said. “A couple record labels tried to promote this Horrorcore to the public, but the public never really caught onto it, so it kind of went away.”

Troy Bell, a spokesman for Richmond International Airport, said that airport police spotted McCroskey asleep in the baggage claim area Saturday and arrested him at 11:25 a.m. Bell said McCroskey was dressed in a black sweat suit, and was quiet, cooperative and non-confrontational.

“He seemed relaxed, nonchalant,” Bell said. “He didn’t appear to be under stress. He just appeared to be taking in the events around him.”