Naman Shrestha
Wendy and Randall Bjorge were integral members of the Lawrenceville, Georgia, community. So, when the news of their death broke out, it sent shockwaves across the community. While their loved ones grieved, the authorities investigated the horrific crime in order to apprehend the perpetrator/s and bring them to justice. The entire case and the swift investigation that followed are covered extensively in the episode titled ‘Pretty Deadly’ of Investigation Discovery’s ‘Signs Of A Psychopath.’
A Welfare Check Led to the Discovery of Wendy and Randall Bjorge’s Remains
Wendy Woodruff Bjorge was welcomed into the world by Elayne Hakalo and Alan Thatcher “Al” Woodruff on January 20, 1954. As the only daughter of the Woodruff family, she likely developed a close bond with her parents as well as her brothers, Jeff and Charles Alan Woodruff, who seemingly stood by her every step of the way. She grew into a resilient and kindhearted woman who was deeply adored by her family and friends. Eventually, Wendy tied the knot with Randall August Bjorge when both of them were around 20. Born on February 6, 1954, he was the beloved son of Kjell and Randi Augusta Olsen Bjorge and a doting brother to his sister, Sylvia Berman.
After their wedding in 1974, Wendy and Randall built a beautiful life for themselves. Over the years, they began a family of their own after bringing a daughter, Amanda, and a son, Christopher, AKA Chris, into their world. Admired for their warm and empathetic nature, Randall and Wendy were respected members of the community. Starting early April 2017, the Bjorge couple’s loved ones could not seem to get in touch with them. Concerned about their well-being, their family members requested the authorities to conduct a welfare check on April 6 in their house at 1911 Furlong Run in Lawrenceville. Since there was no cause to enter the residence by force, the police didn’t enter. The following night, Wendy and Randall were reported missing by their family members.
On the night of April 8, the police noticed their vehicle at another scene of the crime on Rambling Woods Drive. Thus, they returned to the elderly couple’s house that same night and forced their way inside. In the upstairs bedroom of the property, the authorities found both 63-year-old Wendy and Randall Bjorge dead. Upon conducting an autopsy, it was determined that they died of an incision to the throat. Both of them had suffered multiple blunt force trauma and sharp force injuries. Immediately, a homicide investigation was launched.
Wendy and Randall’s Killers Planned to Kill Several Other People
Before the authorities discovered the remains of Wendy and Randall Bjorge in their Lawrenceville, Georgia, residence, they were called by Mindy Rider and her boyfriend, Kevin, at her house at 1685 Rambling Woods Drive in Lawrenceville on the night of April 8, 2017. The couple was reportedly attacked by the former’s brother, Johnny Hiro Rider, and her girlfriend, Cassandra “Cassie” Bjorge. By the time the police arrived at Mindy’s property, the attackers had fled the scene. The authorities noticed that Wendy and Randall’s vehicle was parked outside the house and conducted a welfare check at the elderly couple’s residence, where they found them dead. Given the injuries suffered by Mindy and Kevin, an arrest warrant was launched for Johnny and Cassie, who had also stolen Mindy’s vehicle.
Several hours later, the detectives managed to locate the stolen vehicle outside Building 800 at 4025 McGinnis Ferry Road in Suwanee, Georgia. Right after noon on April 9, the SWAT team tried to get the two suspects to cooperate, but they refused to exit the apartment. As the authorities closed in on them, Johnny and Cassie tried to take their own lives. After finding them with self-inflicted wounds to their wrists, the two were rushed to the Gwinnett Medical Center. When the investigators tried to interview Johnny the following day, he refused to cooperate. On the other hand, Cassie told the detectives that killing Wendy and Randall wasn’t her idea and claimed that Johnny had suggested doing so.
According to reports, the teens killed Wendy and Randall using a tire iron, baseball bat, hammer, and butcher knives, after which they caulked the doors to trap the smell of the remains inside their upstairs bedroom. In the days that followed, Johnny and Cassie also hosted a party downstairs with their friends. The latter also told the detectives that they had made a hit list that contained members of Johnny’s family as well as her mother. It also included Mindy and her boyfriend, both of whom managed to survive the violent attack. Thus, 19-year-old Johnny Rider and 17-year-old Cassandra “Cassie” Bjorge were indicted on murder, aggravated assault, aggravated battery, armed robbery, and theft charges in connection with Wendy and Randall’s killing.
Johnny Rider and Cassie Bjorge Are Currently Incarcerated in Separate Georgia Prisons
Several months later, in February 2018, Johnny Hiro Rider and Cassandra “Cassie” Bjorge pleaded guilty to two counts of felony murder in order to avoid the death penalty. At the hearing, Johnny extended his apologies and stated, “I know what I have done is abominable and evil and is deserving of hellfire. I would like to express my deepest apologies to the Bjorge family. I’m so sorry for the pain and grief I have caused all of you.” Wendy and Randall’s son, Christopher Bjorge, asked his wife to read aloud his victim impact statement, which read, “It is sad to me that first time they visit my house and meet my children is in a paper bag from a funeral home.”
The Gwinnett County Judge Debra Turner also addressed the convicts. She stated, “I just continue to be stunned that you sealed areas so that you could make sure the smell of decaying human flesh wouldn’t be noticed. That you had parties and ordered Chinese food with two people that you had brutally murdered lying upstairs.” Finally, on February 2, 2018, Johnny Rider and Cassandra “Cassie” Bjorge were sentenced to life in prison for the killing of Wendy and Randall Bjorge. As of today, Johnny is serving his sentence at Central State Prison in Macon, Georgia, while Cassie is imprisoned at Lee Arrendale State Prison in Alto, Georgia.
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