Victoria Riggs, the wife of Detective Martin Riggs, was tragically killed by mistake as a result of a direct order to assassinate Martin Riggs, issued by a powerful South African crime lord.
Based on plot revelations in Lethal Weapon 2, Detective Martin Riggs discovers the true, sinister reason behind his wife's death. Her murder was not a random accident, as initially believed, but a deliberate act carried out by an international criminal organization targeting Riggs himself.
The primary instigator was Arjen Rudd, a South African diplomat and major crime lord whom Riggs and his partner Roger Murtaugh were investigating. In 1984, Rudd ordered Riggs's assassination. His enforcer, Pieter Vorstedt, was tasked with carrying out this hit. However, in a fatal error, Vorstedt mistakenly killed Victoria Riggs instead of Martin. To conceal their involvement and make the murder appear to be an unfortunate mishap, they orchestrated the scene to look like a car accident. This revelation profoundly impacts Riggs in the sequel, providing a deep, personal motivation for his relentless pursuit of Rudd and his organization.
Key Details Surrounding Victoria Riggs's Death
To understand the full scope of this tragic event, consider these crucial points revealed in the film:
- Targeted Hit: The intended victim was Detective Martin Riggs. The order came from Arjen Rudd, a figure deeply involved in illicit activities.
- Mistaken Identity: Rudd's enforcer, Pieter Vorstedt, made a critical error, assassinating Victoria Riggs, believing her to be the intended target.
- Cover-Up: To obscure the true nature of the crime and prevent any connection to their illicit operations, the perpetrators staged the murder to appear as a fatal automobile accident.
The Perpetrators and Their Roles
| Individual | Role in Victoria Riggs's Death | Motivation |
|---|---|---|
| Arjen Rudd | Ordered the assassination of Martin Riggs | To eliminate Riggs, who was a threat to his criminal empire |
| Pieter Vorstedt | Executed the mistaken killing of Victoria Riggs | Rudd's enforcer, carrying out orders |
Sequence of Events
- Arjen Rudd's Order: As a powerful South African crime lord, Rudd felt threatened by Detective Martin Riggs's activities.
- Assassination Attempt: Rudd commissioned his enforcer, Pieter Vorstedt, to kill Martin Riggs in 1984.
- Fatal Error: Vorstedt mistakenly murdered Victoria Riggs, believing she was the intended target.
- Staged Accident: To hide their involvement and the true nature of the crime, they made Victoria's murder appear to be a car accident.
- Riggs's Discovery: Years later, during the events of Lethal Weapon 2, Riggs uncovers the truth behind his wife's death, confirming it was not an accident but a targeted hit gone wrong.
This revelation serves as a pivotal plot point, deepening Riggs's character and providing significant emotional weight to his actions in the sequel.
