Days after allegedly killing parents, Martinez man dies from banging his own head into jail wall, sheriff says

MARTINEZ — Less than two weeks after he allegedly killed both his parents inside their Concord home, a Martinez man smashed his own head into the wall of his jail cell, then died hours later, after being treated at a hospital, according to police.

Kirk Richardson, 61, banged his head into the wall of his cell at the Martinez Detention Facility repeatedly at around 5:45 a.m. Thursday morning. He was hospitalized, cleared, returned to a jail cell, then found unconscious that afternoon, and succumbed to his injuries, according to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s office.

Richardson was given medication by jail staff after his return from the hospital, a sheriff’s news release says. The county’s hospital didn’t immediately respond to questions Friday about why Richardson was medically cleared so soon after the initial incident.

Richardson was charged last week with murdering Joyce Richardson, 85, and William Richardson, 90, in a New Year’s Eve shooting at the couple’s Concord home. Authorities say Kirk Richardson has a history of mental illness and gave an erratic and delusional confession, stating that he’d thought of killing his parents for decades but also referring to himself as “Jesus” and stating he was “proud to be named after Charlie Kirk,” who was born about 30 years after Kirk Richardson.

According to Concord police, Joyce Richardson called 911 on New Year’s Eve and reported her son had knocked her and her husband over and was behaving unpredictably. After an officer arrived, he heard three gunshots coming from the home.

Authorities say that on Dec. 30 and New Year’s Eve, Kirk Richardson made multiple calls to police, first reporting the theft of a firearm and a crossbow, then calling to clarify that his mother had apparently taken the weapons. Officers reportedly seized 10 firearms, five spent shell casings, and two air rifles from the home, as well as a bulletproof vest, court records show.

Nearly 40 years ago, in 1989, the couple asked a judge for a restraining order against their son, citing “domestic violence,” according to court filings. In 2013, Richardson’s then-neighbor, a Martinez man, also filed for a restraining order against him, alleging Richard “threatened to decapitate me” after he canceled a planned fishing trip. The neighbor’s application also said Richardson owned a “six-and-a-half foot sword” and continued to own the weapon despite being in the “mental health system.”

Richardson had faced 50 years to life if convicted of his parents’ killings.

If you or someone you know is struggling with feelings of depression or suicidal thoughts, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline offers free, round-the-clock support, information and resources for help. Call or text the lifeline at 988, or see the 988lifeline.org website, where chat is available.