A shocking breakthrough in a 40-year-old cold case has led to the indictment of a new suspect in the 1984 murder of 16-year-old Theresa Fusco. After three men were wrongfully convicted and exonerated, DNA obtained from a discarded smoothie straw provided the crucial evidence, bringing renewed hope for justice to Fusco’s family and underscoring the transformative power of modern forensic science in solving long-dormant mysteries.
Four decades after the brutal murder of Long Island teenager Theresa Fusco, a remarkable development has emerged from the depths of a cold case file. Prosecutors have announced the indictment of Richard Bilodeau, 63, marking a pivotal moment in a case that previously saw three innocent men wrongfully imprisoned. The key to this long-awaited breakthrough? DNA evidence meticulously recovered from a discarded straw, highlighting the extraordinary advancements in forensic technology.
This pursuit of justice, spanning over 40 years, showcases an unwavering commitment from investigators and prosecutors to provide closure for Fusco’s family. The case serves as a powerful testament to the enduring hope that even the oldest mysteries can be solved with perseverance and scientific innovation.
The Tragic Disappearance of Theresa Fusco
In November 1984, 16-year-old Theresa Fusco vanished after leaving her part-time job at a roller-skating rink in Lynbrook, New York. Weeks later, her nude body was discovered, buried under leaves in a wooded area near the rink, a horrific finding that rocked the community and ignited a decades-long search for her killer. The initial investigation into her death drew significant attention, particularly because it coincided with the disappearances of two other teenage girls in the same area, one of whom was a friend of Fusco’s.
The widespread attention underscored the community’s fear and desperation for answers, creating immense pressure on law enforcement to solve the crimes. This early intensity, however, would later be marred by severe miscarriages of justice.
A Grave Injustice: The Wrongful Convictions
The path to justice for Theresa Fusco was tragically derailed in the years following her murder. In 1986, three men were convicted of the killing and served several years in prison. However, nearly two decades later, DNA evidence that was not available in the 1980s led to their exoneration in 2003, proving that someone else was responsible for the rape and murder. The three men, who had worked together as movers, included one who had reportedly dated another missing teenager, Kelly Morrissey, who disappeared earlier in 1984 and was never found.
The wrongful imprisonment exposed significant flaws in the initial investigation. Two of the exonerated men later sued for wrongful imprisonment, with each being awarded $18 million. Their attorneys argued that police misconduct, including the fabrication of hair evidence and the concealment of other evidence by the lead detective, led to their false convictions, as detailed in reports like those from the USA TODAY.
The Breakthrough: A Smoothie Straw’s Silent Testimony
The pursuit of Fusco’s true killer gained new momentum in recent years. County authorities began surveilling Richard Bilodeau in 2023 after developing “multiple investigative leads.” The crucial turning point arrived in February 2024 when investigators recovered a cup and straw Bilodeau had used and discarded at a smoothie café in neighboring Suffolk County. DNA extracted from this seemingly insignificant item matched a sample taken from Theresa Fusco’s body back in 1984.
This sophisticated use of forensic technology, often referred to as “touch DNA” or advanced genealogical DNA, demonstrates how modern science can bridge decades of silence. Nassau District Attorney Anne Donnelly emphasized the significance of the arrest at a news conference, stating, “The past has not been forgotten. My office is determined to see justice for Theresa and her family,” as reported by the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office.
Richard Bilodeau: The Suspect Emerges
Richard Bilodeau, now 63, was 23 years old and living with his grandparents in Lynbrook, less than a mile from Fusco’s home and the roller rink, at the time of the murder. He pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder during his arraignment and was remanded to the county jail. His lawyer, Jason Russo, declined immediate comment, citing the recency of their meeting.
During the arraignment, Assistant District Attorney Jared Rosenblatt recounted a chilling exchange when investigators confronted Bilodeau at his workplace. Bilodeau allegedly told them, “Yeah, people got away with murder, back then.” To this, Rosenblatt retorted, “Well, Mr. Bilodeau, it’s 2025, and your day of reckoning is now.” If convicted, Bilodeau faces up to 25 years to life in prison.
Justice for Theresa Fusco: A Family’s Enduring Hope
For Theresa Fusco’s father, Thomas Fusco, the arrest represents a long-awaited beacon of hope. Present in the Mineola court during Bilodeau’s arraignment, he described the pain of reliving his daughter’s death “over and over again” but expressed hope for a “finalization” in the ordeal. Holding a photo of Theresa, he shared his enduring love and loss, stating, “I loved her and I miss her. She lives in my heart, as you can see. I never gave up hope. I’ve always had faith in the system.”
His sentiments echo the profound impact cold cases have on families, highlighting the relentless pursuit of truth despite the passage of time. The arrest, coming after decades of waiting and the trauma of wrongful convictions, offers a profound moment of closure for the family.
The Broader Implications: Cold Cases and Forensic Science
The resolution of Theresa Fusco’s case is a powerful example of how advancements in DNA forensics are revolutionizing cold case investigations. Cases once deemed unsolvable are now being revisited with new tools, offering victims’ families a renewed chance at justice. This case also underscores the critical importance of maintaining and re-examining evidence, as scientific methods continually evolve.
Furthermore, it serves as a stark reminder of the enduring societal challenges posed by unsolved crimes and the ethical imperative to rectify past injustices, such as the wrongful convictions that haunted this particular case. The developments in Fusco’s murder also shed light on other concurrent disappearances in the area, including that of Jacqueline Martarella, 19, whose body was found the following year, suggesting a broader pattern of unsolved mysteries that modern forensics may yet unravel.
The indictment of Richard Bilodeau for the 1984 murder of Theresa Fusco closes a painful chapter for her family and community. It stands as a testament to the persistent dedication of law enforcement and the transformative power of modern science, ensuring that even after four decades, the pursuit of justice continues to prevail.
