AI Summary
5 min readGloria Choi, a devoted single mother and hotel manager in Washington state, was murdered in January 2022 by her ex-boyfriend Billy Rickman after she ended their relationship. Despite multiple police reports of his stalking and harassment in the days before her death—including violations of a no-contact order—authorities did not arrest him. This 48 Hours episode, discussed on the Post Mortem podcast, examines how Rickman's initial "love bombing" drew her in, his abusive turn, and the systemic gaps that left her unprotected.
Love Bombing and Early Relationship
Choi met Rickman in May 2021 while managing an Oyo Hotel where he was staying. A busy single parent supporting her family’s hotel business, she was drawn to his charismatic, larger-than-life personality. He professed intense love through over-the-top texts—"My heart is yours," "I want you"—and quickly bonded with her young son. Family attorney Megan Driscoll described this as love bombing: excessive affection that feels intoxicating but often masks control.
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What you'll learn
- 1 (01:50) **Case Introduction** - Host introduces Gloria Choi's murder by ex Billy Rickman after stalking and failed police interventions
- 2 (02:25) **Guest Natalie Morales Joins** - Correspondent discusses Gloria's story as cautionary tale of love bombing and failed protection
- 3 (03:15) **Gloria's Background** - Hardworking single mom managing family hotels meets charismatic Rickman at work
- 4 (03:47) **Initial Attraction and Love Bombing** - Rickman charms with big talk, bonds with son, sends over-the-top love texts
- 5 (05:03) **Relationship Escalates** - Gloria moves in with Rickman despite parents' disapproval, switches jobs
- 6 (05:32) **Red Flags Emerge** - Rickman turns mean, drinks excessively, uses drugs, lives off Gloria without job
- 7 (06:30) **Rickman's Dark Past** - Ex-victim Aja recounts being sex-trafficked by Rickman at age 14 in California
+ Full timestamped outline available in the app
Show Notes
48 Hours correspondents Anne-Marie Green and Natalie Morales discuss the murder of Gloria Choi, a single mother who was shot by her ex-boyfriend, Billy Rickman. The team discusses how Gloria’s family believed Rickman love-bombed her during their relationship, his escalating violent behavior in the two days leading up to Gloria’s murder, and how police finally captured Rickman after he went on the run.
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