The Fatal Night: Inside the Toxic Relationship of Will and Victoria
Self-defense is one of the most complex claims in the justice system. While it’s meant to protect individuals in situations of imminent danger, it often relies on blurry lines of evidence, witness statements, and intent. Cases hinging on self-defense can be difficult to prosecute, as the truth behind who the real victim is sometimes gets lost. Such is the case of Victoria Rickman, who made a frantic 911 call in the early hours of Friday, September 13, 2013, claiming she had shot her ex-fiancé, Will Carter Jr., in an act of self-defense. However, as the case unfolded, a darker story emerged, filled with lies, accusations, and a tangled web of toxic emotions.
This is the story of love gone horribly wrong, where the line between victim and perpetrator blurs beyond recognition.
The Victim: Will Carter Jr.
William Carter Jr., affectionately known as "Will," was born on October 7, 1982, in Phoenix, Arizona. The Carter family moved to Orlando, Florida, before settling in Atlanta, Georgia, where Will spent the remainder of his life. He grew up as a quiet, easygoing young man, deeply interested in sports like football and golf, which he shared with his father. After graduating from the College of Charleston, Will spent a decade exploring different career paths before founding his own auto insurance business, Georgia Select Insurance Co. His business quickly grew, becoming a successful venture with five offices and 30 employees.
Despite professional success, Will’s personal life was marred by challenges, including a past struggle with substance abuse. After multiple run-ins with the law, he decided to clean up his life and entered rehab, coming out sober and determined to do better for himself and his young daughter, Lily, from a previous marriage. By all accounts, Will was dedicated to his family, particularly his daughter, whom he adored.
In 2010, Will’s life took a dramatic turn when he met Victoria Rickman.
The Perpetrator: Victoria Rickman
Not much is known about Victoria Rickman’s early life, but she had a son from a previous marriage, which ended in divorce amid accusations of abuse from both sides. Her friends and family described her as a loving mother who adored her son. When Victoria met Will through mutual friends in 2010, they bonded over their shared experiences as single parents, and the relationship quickly escalated. They became engaged and moved in together, blending their families. On the surface, their relationship seemed perfect, but it didn’t take long for things to unravel.
The Escalation: A Toxic Relationship
By 2011, Will and Victoria’s relationship had become tumultuous. They had a series of violent altercations, each one more toxic than the last. Victoria frequently accused Will of physical abuse, sharing photos of her injuries with friends, while Will and Victoria both filed numerous police reports against each other. Their relationship was marked by a cycle of breakups and reconciliations, as both seemed unable to fully let go. However, the constant volatility reached a breaking point on the fateful night of September 13, 2013.
The Fatal Night
Victoria was staying at a friend’s house in DeKalb County, Georgia, on the night of September 13, 2013. At 2:30 a.m., she called the police, claiming she had shot Will in self-defense after he allegedly attempted to sexually assault her. When officers arrived at the scene, led by Detective Summer Benton, Victoria was found standing outside, wearing pajamas and holding her dog. Though her initial account of self-defense seemed plausible, things quickly began to look suspicious.
Inside the house, Will's body lay on the bed, disrobed and riddled with nine bullet wounds. The crime scene was curiously calm for an alleged violent struggle—there were no signs of forced entry, and the house appeared untouched, save for a toppled lamp. The disarray Victoria had described during her 911 call was nowhere to be found. While Victoria maintained that Will had attacked her, the lack of injuries on her body only deepened investigators' doubts about her story.
A Reality TV Twist
In an unexpected turn of events, the crew of the reality TV show Inside Homicide arrived at the crime scene to film the investigation. With cameras rolling, the investigation became a media spectacle, much to the dismay of Will’s family. The involvement of a reality show only served to heighten the sensationalism surrounding the case, further complicating an already tense situation.
As the investigation progressed, it became clear that Victoria was not merely a woman defending herself from her abuser. Instead, her history of violent behavior toward Will began to surface.
A History of Abuse and Manipulation
Will’s parents, Will Sr. and Caro Carter, revealed disturbing details about Victoria’s past aggression toward their son. According to them, Victoria had a history of violent outbursts. In one instance in 2012, Will visited his parents with a bleeding wound behind his ear, claiming that Victoria had attacked him during an argument. Another time, Victoria struck Will in the head with a heavy object, causing him to file charges against her—charges she later convinced him to drop.
Despite his parents' warnings, Will remained entangled in his toxic relationship with Victoria. Victoria’s fits of jealousy and rage were well-documented, including a 2013 incident where she broke into Will’s home and attacked him, demanding to know if he had been unfaithful. These violent episodes, coupled with Victoria’s frequent false allegations of abuse, painted a picture of a relationship where Victoria was the aggressor, not the victim.
The Dark Secrets Unfold
As Detective Benton continued her investigation, more revelations came to light. Will’s friends and family claimed he was never violent toward Victoria, and it was Victoria who frequently threatened and manipulated him. At one point, she even brandished a firearm and told Will’s parents that they couldn’t control her. This firearm, given to her by a sheriff’s deputy named Fredrick Price for her "protection," would later become the weapon used to kill Will.
Investigators also uncovered a pattern of manipulation in Victoria’s other relationships. She had threatened former roommates and acquaintances with false accusations of assault, using the “victim” card as a weapon to get her way. In Will’s case, this pattern culminated in a final, tragic act of violence.
The Trial and Verdict
After nearly four years of legal wrangling, the case finally went to trial in August 2017. The prosecution, led by Sheila Ross, argued that Victoria had premeditated the murder, citing her previous violent behavior and the staged nature of the crime scene. The defense, however, portrayed Victoria as a woman suffering from PTSD and in fear for her life. They claimed that Will’s past drug use and mental health issues made him unstable and dangerous.
The trial was rife with dramatic moments, including testimony from Will’s psychiatrist, who revealed that Will had been experiencing delusions shortly before his death. However, due to a critical oversight, a toxicology report had never been requested for Will, leaving a crucial piece of evidence out of the trial.
Ultimately, the jury found Victoria guilty of murder. On October 5, 2017, she was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, plus five years for the weapons charge. Throughout the trial, Victoria remained emotionless, showing no remorse for taking Will’s life.
Aftermath: A Family’s Pain and a Legacy Remembered
For Will’s family, the verdict brought some measure of closure, but it could never heal the deep wounds left by his untimely death. His parents, Will Sr. and Caro, mourned not only the loss of their son but also the future moments he would miss—Lily’s milestones, family gatherings, and the joy he brought into their lives.
In honor of Will, his friends and employees created a Facebook page called "Remember Will Carter," a digital memorial to keep his memory alive. His daughter, Lily, carries the grief of losing her father, knowing he will never be there to celebrate her achievements or walk her down the aisle.
A Cautionary Tale
The tragic story of Will Carter Jr. and Victoria Rickman serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of toxic relationships and the fine line between love and obsession. It highlights the importance of recognizing when a relationship becomes harmful and the devastating consequences that can arise when individuals don’t seek help or listen to those who care for them.
In the end, the case was about much more than self-defense—it was about manipulation, betrayal, and the deadly consequences of unchecked rage. Will’s death stands as a somber reminder that not all victims wear their scars on the outside, and sometimes, the true predator hides behind the guise of vulnerability.
This case reminds us that while the justice system may not always provide clear answers, it remains crucial to keep searching for the truth amid the lies and betrayals. For the families involved, moving forward is the only way to honor the lives forever changed by this tragedy.
