Discarded Straw DNA Leads to Arrest in 41-Year-Old Murder Case | Crime Alert 6AM 12.02.25

Summary

Podcast Summary: Crime Stories with Nancy Grace

Episode: Discarded Straw DNA Leads to Arrest in 41-Year-Old Murder Case | Crime Alert 6AM 12.02.25

Date: December 2, 2025
Host: iHeartPodcasts and CrimeOnline

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Overview: Justice After Four Decades—DNA Technology Breaks Long Island Cold Case

In this episode, Crime Stories with Nancy Grace spotlights a remarkable breakthrough in a 41-year-old cold case on Long Island. Using cutting-edge DNA analysis, law enforcement has finally arrested a suspect in the 1984 rape and murder of Teresa Fusco, a local teenager. The episode details the journey from wrongful convictions to renewed hope for the victim’s family, highlighting the power of scientific persistence in resolving old injustices.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Major Break in Long Island Cold Case (00:01–03:00)

• Case Background:
  • 16-year-old Teresa Fusco disappeared after her late shift at a Lynnbrook roller skating rink in November 1984.
  • Her remains were found weeks later in nearby woods.
  • The case led to three wrongful convictions, with two men later awarded multimillion-dollar settlements after DNA evidence exonerated them in 2003.
• Breakthrough Details:
  • Investigators, inspired by fresh leads, placed Richard Billido (63) under surveillance in 2024.
  • A discarded cup and straw at a smoothie shop were collected, providing DNA evidence matching samples from Fusco's body.
• Current Status:
  • Billido, only 23 at the time of the crime, has been charged with two counts of murder and pleaded not guilty.
  • He faces up to 25 years to life if convicted, and is being held without bail.

2. Emotional Response from Family and Authorities

• Family Reaction:
  • Teresa’s father, Thomas Fusco, described mixed emotions upon reopening the case but expressed hope for long-awaited closure.
    • “While revisiting the case is painful, [I] hope the new arrest will finally bring closure to our family.” (Paraphrased, 01:50)
• Official Statements:
  • Nassau County DA Ann Donnelly praised the blend of persistence and modern forensic science:
    • “This case [is] an example of how persistence and modern science can work hand in hand.” (02:10)
  • Chief Prosecutor Jared Rosenblatt addressed prior investigative errors:
    • “The defendant appeared aware that previous mistakes in the investigation had allowed someone to escape accountability. The time for reckoning has finally come.” (02:40)

3. Broader Context of Related Cases

• The original investigation was criticized for its failures and gained notoriety due to two additional disappearances:
  • Kelly Morrissey vanished during the same period and remains missing.
  • Jacqueline Martarella’s body was found a year later at a local golf course.
• The Fusco cold case, once a symbol of failed justice, is now seen as evidence that justice delayed is not justice denied.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Modern Investigations:
  DA Ann Donnelly: “Persistence and modern science can work hand in hand.” (02:10)
• On Justice and Accountability:
  Jared Rosenblatt: “The time for reckoning has finally come.” (02:40)
• Victim’s Family:
  Thomas Fusco (paraphrased): “Hoping the new arrest will finally bring closure.” (01:50)

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Other Breaking Crime News (06:22–09:40)

Texas Workplace Shooting (06:22–07:07)

• Incident: Jose Hernandez Gallo killed three coworkers at a San Antonio landscape supply company before taking his own life.
• Details:
  • Attack was not random; motive still under investigation.

North Carolina Hospital Shooting (07:08–08:18)

• Incident: Officer Roger Smith fatally shot in the WakeMed Hospital emergency department lobby.
• Aftermath:
  • Person of interest detained; scene closed for investigation.
  • Governor Stein underscored risks faced by law enforcement daily.

Federal Terrorism Arrests (08:19–09:40)

• Details:
  • Two young men charged with attempting to aid ISIS, tied to an alleged Halloween terror plot.
  • Suspects arrested in NJ and Washington while allegedly planning travel abroad and discussing potential domestic attacks on LGBTQ venues and a theme park.
  • A 16-year-old also detained as part of the network; federal officials emphasized the importance of disrupting these threats early.

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Timeline of Major Segments (Timestamps)

• 00:01–03:00: Long Island cold case update, arrest of Richard Billido, reactions from family and officials.
• 06:22–07:07: San Antonio workplace shooting details.
• 07:08–08:18: Police officer killed at a North Carolina hospital.
• 08:19–09:40: Counter-terrorism arrests related to the Islamic State.

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Overall Tone & Language

• Direct, compassionate, urgent: The episode maintains Nancy Grace’s characteristic intensity and focus on seeking justice, bringing expert commentary and emotional nuance to the stories.
• Factual & respectful: The pieces are delivered with deference to victims and their families and a critical eye toward law enforcement process, consistent with Crime Stories’ mission.

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Takeaway

This episode demonstrates how persistent investigation and revolutionary DNA technology can right historical wrongs, bringing renewed hope to victims’ families even four decades later. It also offers updates on other major crimes, reaffirming the necessity of vigilance, evidence-based prosecution, and enduring support for justice and public safety.

Transcript

[John Laemmle]

CRIME alert I'm John Laemmle. We begin this hour with a major cold case development on Long Island. After four decades of unanswered questions, new DNA testing has led prosecutors to a suspect they say is responsible for a teenager's 1984 rape and murder. 63 year old Richard Billido of Sutter Mauriches has been charged with two counts of murder in the death of 16 year old Teresa Fusco. The high school junior disappeared after leaving her job at a Lynnbrook roller skating rink in November 1984. Her body was found weeks later in a wooded area nearby. 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. Two later received multimillion dollar settlements for wrongful imprisonment. Prosecutors now say Bilodeau became a focus after investigators developed several new leads last year. Surveillance teams recovered a cup and straw that he discarded at a smoothie shop in neighboring Suffolk County. Laboratory testing showed the genetic terial matched samples preserved from Fusco's body in 1984. Bilodeau, who was 23 and living with his grandparents at the time of the crime, pleaded not guilty and was ordered held without bail. If convicted, he failed cases up to 25 years to life in prison. At the courthouse in Mineola, Fusco's father, Thomas Fusco, expressed that while revisiting the case is painful, he hopes the new arrest will finally bring closure to his family. Nassau County District Attorney Ann Donnelly emphasized that her office is committed to pursuing justice in long, unsolved crimes, calling this case an example of how persistence and modern science can work hand in hand. CPA Jared Rosenblatt said 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. The original investigation also drew attention because two other teenage girls, Kelly Morrissey and Jacqueline Martarella, went missing around the same time period. Morrissey was never found and Martarella's body was discovered the following year at a nearby golf course. Authorities latest indictment represents a turning point in the case that once symbolized failure and may now stand as proof that time does not erase justice. When we return, deadly gunfire at a Texas workplace, a North Carolina police officer killed inside a hospital and new arrests in an alleged Halloween terrorism plot that stretched from Detroit to the West Coast.

[Nancy Grace]

Thanks, John. For the latest crime and justice news, go to crimeonline.com and please join us for our daily podcast Crime Stories. More crime and Justice News after this.

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[Nancy Grace]

Now with the latest crime and justice breaking news Crime Online's.

[John Laemmle]

John Laemmle in San Antonio te police say a 21 year old man shot and killed three co workers before taking his own life. Investigators identified the gunman as Jose Hernandez Gallo, an employee at a landscape supply company on the city's north side. The victims, two men and a woman were found dead Saturday morning after shots rang out around 8am Other workers ran from the building as officers surrounded the area. Gallo's body was located hours later with what investigators say was a self inflicted gunshot wound. San Antonio Police Chief William McManus said the attack did not appear to be random, though the motive remains under investigation. Officials continue gathering evidence as they work to determine what led up to the deadly workplace violence. Turning to North Carolina, a police officer assigned to a hospital campus was killed during an encounter in the emergency department lobby. Authorities say Officer Roger smith of the WakeMed Health System Police was fatally shot around 9am Saturday at the WakeMed Garner Healthplex just south of Raleigh. A person of interest was detained shortly after the shooting. The emergency lobby was closed as investigators from multiple agencies processed the scene and interviewed witnesses. Governor Josh Stein said the incident underscores the risks faced by law enforcement officers every day and praised Smith's service and sacrifice. WakeMed confirmed its officers are fully sworn and state certified, patrolling six facilities across the system. Officials say they're cooperating fully with investigators as the inquiry continues. Finally, in a widening federal counter terrorism investigation, two additional young men have been charged with attempting to aid the Islamic State group. Nineteen year olds Tomas Jimenez Gutzel of Montclair, N.J. and Saeed Murray of Kent, Washington, are accused of conspiring to provide material support to a designated terrorism organization. According to the FBI, Jimenez Gutzel was arrested at Newark Airport while trying to fly to Turkey, while Murray was taken into custody in Washington state. Investigators say both had been in contact with suspects recently charged in Michigan for allegedly plotting an attack in suburban Detroit. Court filings described detailed online conversation about plans to travel abroad and participate in violent activity overseas agents believe the men accelerated those plans after several associates were arrested in late October in Michigan. Prosecutors alleged a related group had discussed potential attacks targeting LGBTQ venues and even scouted a theme park in neighboring Ohio. Authorities say a 16 year old boy is also in federal custody in connection with that case. Federal officials stressed that the arrest disrupted the network before any violence occurred and that all known suspects are now in custody.

[Nancy Grace]

Thanks, John. For the latest crime and justice news, go to crimeonline.com and please join us for our daily podcast, Crime Stories, where we do our best to find missing people, especially children, and solve unsolved homicides with this crime alert. I'm Nancy Grace.

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