<P> In 1984, Riggs's wife, Victoria Lynn, dies in a car accident, sending him into a deep depression . Driven by grief to the brink of suicide, he regularly puts himself (and anyone else near him) in harm's way, hoping someone will put him out of his misery . This total disregard for his own life makes him literally fearless, turning him into a "Lethal Weapon". By the end of the first movie, however, he has resolved to keep living . In the second film, it is revealed that Victoria was actually murdered during an attempt on Riggs's life . </P> <P> In Lethal Weapon, Riggs is transferred from the narcotics division to the homicide division after a shooting incident . He is partnered with Detective Sergeant Roger Murtaugh in hopes that the older, more conservative veteran will keep him in line . After a rough start, the two become good friends, even though Riggs always gets on Murtaugh's nerves . By the end of the first film, the two have worked together to rescue Murtaugh's daughter, who had been kidnapped by drug lords and military mercenaries . </P> <P> In Lethal Weapon 2, Riggs discovers that the South African crime lord, Arjen Rudd, whom he and Murtaugh are pursuing ordered Riggs's death in 1984 . Rudd's enforcer, Pieter Vorstedt, killed Victoria Riggs by mistake and made the murder look like an automobile accident to cover up their involvement . After avenging the deaths of his wife and Rika van den Haas (whom Riggs had become involved with romantically before she, too, was murdered by Rudd and his minions), he is able to move on with his life . Meanwhile, Riggs and Murtaugh are assigned to protect a comical federal witness, Leo Getz (played by Joe Pesci) whom they ultimately become close friends with . </P> <P> He meets Sgt . Lorna Cole (played by Rene Russo), an internal affairs officer, in Lethal Weapon 3 during an investigation into the disappearance of weapons from L.A.P.D. impound . The two make an immediate connection and work closely together to clear Murtaugh's name after he is forced to kill his son's friend in self - defense . Riggs and Cole become romantically involved and move in together after the end of the film . </P>

Who played victoria lynn riggs in lethal weapon