- Primary Subject: Robert Richens Murder Case (GTA 6 Arrest Footage)
- Key Update: Body-cam footage showed Richens expressing distress about missing GTA 6 after killing his former partner, fueling public outrage.
- Status: Confirmed
- Last Verified: February 9, 2026
- Quick Answer: Robert Richens was sentenced to life after murder; arrest footage went viral when he cried about missing GTA 6, not the victim, intensifying public backlash.
Robert Richens’ case attracted public scrutiny not only because of the crime itself, but because of the unsettling way it crossed into popular culture.
Richens, a 35-year-old man from Oxford, was convicted of murdering his former partner, 40-year-old Rachael Vaughan, in May 2025.
What later shocked the public was footage showing that, immediately after the killing, Richens appeared far more distressed about missing the release of Grand Theft Auto 6 than about the loss of a human life.
What Happened Before the GTA 6 Comment Was Made?
In the early hours of May 30, 2025, Richens contacted emergency services himself, telling operators that he believed he had “accidentally killed someone.”
Police and paramedics were dispatched to a property in Abingdon, where Vaughan was found dead.
Despite emergency crews attempting lifesaving measures, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators later determined that her death followed a prolonged and violent assault, contradicting Richens’ initial suggestion that the killing was accidental.
Prosecutors stated that he made no meaningful attempt to help Vaughan or seek medical assistance before calling authorities.
What Did the Body-Cam Footage Reveal After His Arrest?
Body-worn camera footage released by Thames Valley Police shows Richens visibly distressed after his arrest, crying before remarking that he was “going to miss GTA” and acknowledging he expected to receive a life sentence.
When a police officer asks him to clarify which game he is referring to, Richens responds that he means Grand Theft Auto 6.
The officer, seemingly unfazed, replies that Richens has “ages” to wait. The stark contrast between the gravity of the crime and Richens’ focus on a video game sparked widespread debate online, as the arrest footage spread across platforms like Reddit and X.
Many commenters emphasized that the viral framing risked overshadowing the victim herself, reminding others that Rachael Vaughan was a real person whose life ended violently in her own home.
Any doubt over the gravity of the offense was removed when Richens admitted to murder in December 2025, bringing the case to a close without trial.
On February 6, 2026, Oxford Crown Court handed down a mandatory life sentence with a minimum term of 16 years and one month.
Judges highlighted the prolonged assault, the failure to obtain medical help, and a clear lack of remorse as aggravating factors, while police publicly branded Richens’ behavior as callous and stressed the devastating consequences for Vaughan’s family as the case fuels ongoing discussion about violent crime.
Some experts caution against drawing simplistic conclusions from isolated remarks, noting that post-arrest statements can reflect shock, emotional detachment, or self-centred coping mechanisms rather than a full picture of an offender’s mental state.
Still, many observers view Richens’ comments as emblematic of a profound disconnect from the seriousness of his actions.
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