DNA Evidence from Straw Indicts Murder Suspect After 41 Years in New York

Bassyonni

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DNA Evidence from Straw Indicts Murder Suspect After 41 Years in New York

DNA evidence has implicated a new suspect in the decades-old murder of Theresa Fusco, a 16-year-old girl from Long Island, New York. A Nassau County grand jury indicted Richard Bilodeau, 63, on Tuesday, marking a significant development in a case that has lingered for 41 years.

Case Overview

In November 1984, Fusco vanished after leaving her job at a roller-skating rink in Lynbrook. Her body was discovered weeks later, concealed beneath leaves in a nearby wooded area. The initial investigation led to the wrongful conviction of three men, who spent years in prison before being exonerated by DNA evidence in 2003.

New Developments

This week, authorities announced the indictment of Bilodeau, who was 23 at the time of Fusco’s murder. He is facing two counts of murder and has pleaded not guilty. If convicted, Bilodeau faces a potential sentence of 25 years to life in prison.

Evidence Collection

Authorities started examining Bilodeau after receiving multiple investigative leads last year.
In February 2024, investigators retrieved a straw and cup used by Bilodeau from a smoothie cafe in Suffolk County.
DNA extracted from the straw matched samples taken from Fusco’s body in 1984.

Prosecutorial Comments

Anne Donnelly, the Nassau district attorney, emphasized the importance of this indictment, stating that it symbolizes a relentless pursuit of justice for victims. “The past has not been forgotten,” she affirmed. Jared Rosenblatt, assistant district attorney, also highlighted Bilodeau’s comments during the investigation, remarking, “Your day of reckoning is now.”

Historical Context

Fusco’s case garnered significant media attention, particularly as she disappeared around the same time as two other local teenage girls. This tragic coincidence heightened public concern and scrutiny at the time.

The pursuit of justice continues for Fusco’s family, with the district attorney’s office committed to holding perpetrators accountable, regardless of the passage of time.