Investigation into Dismembered Body Case
A vigilant Lyft driver spotted a gray suitcase on the news that belonged to a passenger he had driven. In response, he contacted Philadelphia police, who later noted that the suitcase emitted a foul odor reminiscent of wet clothes.
Authorities now claim that 53-year-old Liza Ridley was in the process of moving Vincent Goode’s remains, likely to collect his Social Security benefits.
Police indicated that Ridley left a liquid stain in the vehicle and was carrying the suitcase when she was picked up.
Goode’s family described him as a humorous and kind person, known for giving nicknames to everyone he encountered.
Prosecutors revealed that Ridley confessed to shooting Goode in the head after a Lyft driver reported suspicious behavior.
The body of Goode was discovered in a suitcase on May 22, left abandoned on East Hilton Street in Kensington. A passerby looking for scrap metal noticed the suitcase’s unpleasant smell. During the investigation, authorities found another body concealed within commercial-sized garbage bags.
Police appealed to the public for assistance, sharing an image of the suitcase as part of their outreach.
The Lyft driver described an odd interaction he had with a woman carrying a suitcase that smelled strongly on May 21. He believed he had transported her to Kensington.
Notably, the driver took a photo of the woman, which he later provided to the police.
District Attorney Larry Krasner praised the Lyft driver for his alertness and quick actions that led to the identification of Ridley, who worked as a registered home health aide and was dating Goode at the time.
Ridley’s family members—her 55-year-old sister Bernadette, her 32-year-old daughter Liza Robinson, and Robinson’s boyfriend Gnaeus Daniels—are accused of helping to clean up the crime scene and dispose of evidence. Bernadette Ridley allegedly assisted in dismembering Goode’s remains.
All four individuals face multiple charges, including murder, corpse abuse, obstruction of justice, and conspiracy.
A forensic anthropologist is assisting in determining the timing of Goode’s murder and the manner of dismemberment. Investigators believe the underlying motive was to steal Goode’s Social Security payments.
Krasner noted that the case moved swiftly due to the efforts of two citizens who provided essential information to law enforcement.
