Going West: True Crime

Episode 559 – "Theresa Fusco"

Release Date: December 2, 2025
Hosts: Daphne Woolsoncroft & Heath Merryman

Episode Overview

This episode examines the haunting case of Theresa Fusco, a 16-year-old who vanished from Lynbrook, New York, in 1984. Through extensive research and emotional discussion, hosts Daphne and Heath trace the web of missteps, wrongful convictions, and decades-long anguish surrounding Theresa's disappearance, murder, and the recent resolution made possible by genealogical DNA. They also overview the possible connections to other unsolved disappearances in the area at the time.

Key Case Timeline & Discussion

The Night Theresa Disappeared

• [04:48] Daphne: Lays out how Theresa, a well-liked high school junior and dancer, left her job at the Hot Skates roller rink on November 10, 1984, after an argument. She was last seen at 9:45pm visibly upset, walking away alone.
• [07:00] Heath: Reflects on her vulnerabilities that night—recent fight with boyfriend, argument at work—emphasizing how these circumstances left her exposed.

“She leaves this roller skating rink and that's the last time she was ever seen again.”
—Heath [07:57]

Initial Investigation & Family’s Struggle

• [08:30] Daphne: Discusses how Theresa’s mom, Connie, immediately sensed something was wrong, but police presumed Theresa was a runaway, ignoring signs of foul play.
• [10:25] Heath: Quotes family and godfather Dean Gardner’s disbelief at the runaway theory, highlighting Theresa’s close relationship with her mother and lack of resources to disappear.
• [11:00] Daphne: Reveals that just five months before, Theresa’s childhood friend Kelly Morrissey, age 15, also vanished under similar circumstances.

The Kelly Morrissey Connection

• [12:09] Heath & Daphne: Detail Kelly’s disappearance from the same local area and the striking similarities—both teens, same stretch of road, no evidence of running away.

“It is definitely possible that there were two different creeps perusing the street those two different nights. Or it's possible that Lynbrook hosted a single sick individual who took to abducting teenagers that year." —Heath [14:41]

Discovery of Theresa’s Body & Impact

• [14:41] Heath & Daphne: Theresa’s body was found a month later, sexually assaulted and strangled, only a block from where she was last seen.
• [15:20] Daphne: Outraged over prank calls received by Theresa's mother after her disappearance.

“People were prank calling Teresa's mother just absolutely pisses me off to the core.”
—Daphne [17:51]

Early Investigative Errors

• Police arrested a man days after the body was found but released him; family complained about lack of real progress.
• [19:22] Heath: Alludes to police mistakes that will come to define the case, foreshadowing.

The Wrongful Convictions

Police Zero In – The Trio

• [21:20] Daphne: Introduces John Restivo, John Kogut, and Dennis Halstead—all with dubious connections to both victims. Their questionable character and relationships with underage girls are explored.

“You're 31 years old and Kelly was what, 15? Not a good look for any of these people.”
—Heath [22:46]

Coerced Confessions & Faulty Evidence

• [23:10] Heath: John Kogut is interrogated for nearly 18 hours, lied to by detectives about failing polygraphs, and pressured into confessing.
• [25:22] Daphne: Explains the detective’s unethical tactics and the “confession” crafted by officers, not the suspect.

“This is the statement that Detective Volpe is writing down. He made up this whole scenario and is saying, okay, this is what happened. Right. John, you're gonna sign this?”
—Heath [27:49]

• The confession contradicted forensic evidence (only one male DNA source was found, impossible if the confession’s version was true).

Trials & Community Pressure

• The trio is charged and convicted primarily on the strength of Kogut’s coerced confession and one hair “matching” Theresa, despite defense testimony about probable evidence planting.
• [44:15] Daphne: Details alibis ignored and juries swayed by emotion, not science.

“The grand jury could indict a ham sandwich if the DNA wanted them to. I don't think these people are guilty at all.”
—Defense attorney Theodore Robinson [45:15]

Exoneration & The Real Culprit

Years Lost, Justice Delayed

• [48:05] Daphne: With the help of advocacy groups, all three men are exonerated after 18 years, set free when DNA evidence rules them out.
• [50:19] Heath: Fast forward to 2025—DNA genealogy points to Richard Bilodeau, living nearby at the time of Theresa’s murder.

The Breakthrough Arrest

• [52:30] Daphne: Bilodeau, 63, living an hour east now—but lived near Theresa in 1984, described by neighbors as an “awkward loner.” DNA from a discarded smoothie cup links him definitively to the crime.

District Attorney Ann Donnelly: “Today’s Indictment stands as proof that no matter how much time passes, we will never stop fighting for victims … The past has not been forgotten … we’ve indicted Teresa’s alleged killer.”
—[50:47]

• Bilodeau is charged with two counts of second-degree murder. He smugly tells police upon arrest, “People got away with murder back then.” [51:57]

Lingering Pain and Open Questions

Family’s Suffering

• [53:39] Daphne: Theresa’s mother never lived to see the exoneration proven true or her daughter's real killer charged; she maintained the trio’s guilt until her passing in 2019. Her father attends the 2025 press conference, sharing his enduring grief.

“She lives in my heart, as you can see.”
—Thomas Fusco [54:19]

Possible Connections and Unsolved Cases

• [55:18] Heath: The hosts highlight other young women—Kelly Morrissey and Jackie Martarella—who disappeared/murdered under similar circumstances. DNA from Jackie’s case awaits testing.

“Could there be others?”
—Daphne [58:19]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [14:12] Heath: “Teresa's mom, Connie, recalled how disturbed her daughter had been about her friend vanishing... That’s why I don’t think she's willingly on her own...”
• [24:21] Daphne: “In New York, like many other states, police are allowed to lie to you during an interrogation … but it’s definitely unethical.”
• [47:58] Daphne: “What are we doing, guys? Like, what are we doing... This feels like a decent lead. You should at least follow up on it.”
• [48:42] Daphne: 'DNA evidence finally exonerated them in 2003 ... bringing the investigation right back to square one, almost 20 years after her murder.'

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [04:48] – Introduction to Theresa’s life and disappearance
• [11:00] – Kelly Morrissey’s case and potential connections
• [14:41] – Discovery of Theresa’s body and community reaction
• [21:20] – Introduction of suspects Restivo, Kogut, and Halstead
• [23:10] – Details on police tactics, coerced confession
• [33:04] – Arrest and conviction of the three men
• [44:15] – Discussion around the court case and issues with evidence
• [48:05] – Exoneration process and support from advocacy groups
• [50:19] – Identification and arrest of Richard Bilodeau
• [53:39] – Family’s ongoing grief, mother’s lifelong belief in trio’s guilt
• [55:18] – Open cases: Kelly Morrissey and Jackie Martarella

Takeaways

• Decades of Misjustice: Faulty investigations, police tunnel vision, and community pressure led to the wrongful imprisonment of three men for nearly 20 years. Their exoneration came only after DNA technology caught up.
• Power of Forensic Science: It was genealogy and cutting-edge DNA analysis, 41 years after the crime, that finally identified the real killer.
• Community Still Waiting: Other Lynbrook disappearances remain unsolved, possibly linked to either the newly arrested Bilodeau or still unidentified predators from the era.
• Impact on Families: Justice delayed has lifelong consequences—families grieve, and in this case, some died without answers.

Final words:

“I can't believe that three guys spent 18 plus years in prison and then they happen to find answers another two decades later. But I'm so glad that they did. This is what's so great about genealogical DNA testing and how it can really, really help.”
—Daphne [58:45]

For unresolved cases mentioned, stay tuned for updates as more DNA testing is underway and Bilodeau faces trial.