CLARKSTON, Wash. – The suspect accused of beating, raping, and then strangling a 69-year-old woman to death in Clarkston made his first court appearance Wednesday where he was charged with murder.
Authorities in Southeastern Washington located the Ina Richardson's body on a beach access road at a local park near the river in Clarkston. Richardson was found naked under a blanket with bruises on her head. Later officials would determine that she was raped and then strangled to death.
Authorities did arrest 53-year-old ex-convict and registered sex offender, Bisir Muhammad for the crime.
After Richardson's body was found, detectives found out that she was last seen near the Clarkston Albertsons on Thursday after she asked a stranger for a ride home, but that person was not heading in the same direction.
Surveillance video later showed Richardson walking towards a car in the parking lot that would later drive away. The video would then show the car drive to a secluded area and stop near the motel where Muhammad works.
On Monday officers stopped a car similar to the one in the video. The driver was Bisir Muhammad, also known as Billy Joe Dallas.
Police later obtained a search warrant and court records showed they found condoms, lubricant, and latex gloves in the trunk of the car.
Muhammad initially denied being in the Albertson's parking lot the night of the murder, but later admitted to it according to court documents.
Muhammad denied seeing Richardson that night, but knew her from one time the two talked while Muhammad was employed through a janitorial company that Albertson's utilized until the end of October.
Detectives would then arrest him at his Clarkston apartment on murder charges where he did not appear surprised at the time of the arrest according to court documents.
Police said Muhammad's wife told investigators that her husband appeared "agitated" when he came home the night of the murder and pulled a used condom out of his pocket.
Muhammad is currently being held on a $1 million bond.
Police are asking the public for help in locating the white pickup that was seen near the Quality Inn in the port area the night of the murder.
The car's driver is not considered a suspect, but police would like to speak with him or her.
