Crime Stories with Nancy Grace

Episode: Discarded Straw DNA Leads to Arrest in 41-Year-Old Murder Case | Crime Alert 6AM
Date: November 11, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of Crime Stories with Nancy Grace spotlights the dramatic resolution of a Long Island cold case that has haunted the community for over four decades. The core focus is the 1984 murder and rape of 16-year-old Teresa Fusco, and the recent arrest of Richard Bilodeau, linked through advances in DNA technology and an innovative investigation involving discarded DNA evidence. The episode also covers several high-profile crime stories from across the country, offering concise updates on deadly workplace violence in Texas, a police officer’s slaying in North Carolina, and federal terrorism arrests tied to an alleged Halloween plot.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Long Island Cold Case Breakthrough (00:01–03:00)

• Case Recap:

  • Teresa Fusco, a high school junior, disappeared in 1984 after leaving her roller rink job. Her body was found weeks later in nearby woods.
  • The case became infamous after three men were wrongly convicted and later exonerated based on DNA evidence in 2003. Two received multi-million dollar settlements.

• New Investigation:

  • Investigators, spurred by new leads, focused on Richard Bilodeau, now 63, who was 23 at the time of the crime.
  • Surveillance recovered a cup and straw Bilodeau discarded at a smoothie shop; DNA from the straw matched preserved evidence from 1984.

• Current Status:

  • Bilodeau arrested, charged with two counts of murder, and pleaded not guilty. Held without bail, facing up to 25 years to life if convicted.
  • The arrest offers hope for closure to Fusco’s family and illustrates the power of modern forensic science and investigative persistence.

• Context of Failure and Justice:

  • The case was seen as emblematic of justice gone wrong due to the wrongful imprisonment of innocent men.
  • The indictment is called a “turning point” and marks a reclamation of justice for Fusco and Long Island.

Notable Quotes

• John Laemmle (00:55):
  “The case was long considered one of Long Island's most troubling miscarriages of justice. Three men were convicted and spent years in prison before DNA evidence cleared them in 2003.”

• Ann Donnelly, Nassau County District Attorney (01:37):
  “This case is an example of how persistence and modern science can work hand in hand.”

• CPA Jared Rosenblatt (01:50):
  “The defendant appeared aware that previous mistakes in the investigation had allowed someone to escape accountability. He added that the time for reckoning had finally come.”

2. Related Missing Persons Cases (01:58–02:15)

• Two other teenage girls, Kelly Morrissey and Jacqueline Martarella, vanished in the same time frame.
  • Morrissey remains missing.
  • Martarella’s body was discovered the following year.
• These unsolved cases deepen the tragedy and underscore the investigation’s importance.

3. Crime Updates from Across the Country (05:52–09:09)

A. San Antonio Workplace Shooting (05:52–06:58)

• Incident:
  • A 21-year-old, Jose Hernandez Gallo, shot and killed three coworkers at a landscape supply company before committing suicide.
• Ongoing Investigation:
  • Motive is unclear, officials stress it did not seem random.
• Law Enforcement Response:
  • Police chief confirms investigation is ongoing, with focus on workplace violence prevention.

B. Fatal Shooting of North Carolina Hospital Police Officer (06:58–08:08)

• Incident:
  • Officer Roger Smith fatally shot during an altercation in a hospital emergency department lobby.
• Reactions:
  • Governor Josh Stein:
    “The incident underscores the risks faced by law enforcement officers every day and praised Smith’s service and sacrifice.” (07:15)
• Further Steps:
  • WakeMed confirms cooperation with investigation.

C. Federal Counterterrorism and Halloween Plot (08:08–09:09)

• Details:
  • Two 19-year-olds, Tomas Jimenez Gutzel (NJ) and Saeed Murray (WA), charged with conspiring to aid ISIS.
  • Arrests linked to a wider plot that included plans for attacks in Michigan and Ohio.
  • A teenage boy also arrested; FBI asserts arrests prevented potential violence.
• Quote:
  • CrimeOnline’s John Laemmle highlights agency collaboration and swift action to thwart credible threats.

Memorable Moments & Statement Highlights

• Triumph of Modern Forensics and Perseverance

  • Ann Donnelly (01:37):
    “Persistence and modern science can work hand in hand.”

• Family’s Search for Closure

  • Fusco’s father expresses both pain in reopening wounds and hope for resolution.
  • The episode repeatedly notes the enduring suffering of the Fusco family and others affected by the case.

• Reflection on Justice

  • The wrongful conviction narrative and ultimate corrective action emphasize flaws and strengths in the justice system.
  • Jared Rosenblatt (01:50):
    “The time for reckoning had finally come.”

Important Segment Timestamps

• Major Cold Case Announcement: 00:01–03:00
• Impact and Context of Original Investigation: 01:00–01:58
• Tie to Wider Pattern of 1980s Long Island Crimes: 01:58–02:15
• Texas Workplace Shooting Update: 05:52–06:58
• North Carolina Officer Down: 06:58–08:08
• Federal Terrorism Case and Halloween Plot: 08:08–09:09

Tone and Language

The episode is direct and urgent, balancing factual recitation with a sense of outrage over past injustices and cautious optimism about the capabilities of modern investigative work. The reporting maintains a respectful, determined tone, focused on the search for justice and closure for families, while highlighting the role of science, law enforcement, and persistence in resolving even the coldest cases.

Summary

Crime Stories with Nancy Grace delivers a thorough account of how discarded DNA evidence—meticulously collected even decades after the fact—can finally slam the cell door on impunity. The episode contextualizes the Long Island case within broader trends of wrongful conviction and ongoing violence, reinforcing the value of relentless investigation. Through expert voices and survivor testimony, it provides listeners with insight into the emotional and systemic stakes of America’s cold cases, ensuring both gravity and hope are given their due.