A significant breakthrough in a decades-old cold case has finally led to an arrest in the murder of a Long Island teenager, Theresa Fusco, who was brutally killed in 1984. Richard Bilodeau, a 63-year-old employee at Walmart, has been charged with the murder and rape of the 16-year-old girl, thanks to advanced DNA testing conducted by the FBI.
Theresa Fusco disappeared after leaving her job at Hot Skates, a skating rink in Lynbrook, on November 10, 1984. Her body was discovered weeks later, on December 5, hidden under leaves in a wooded area nearby. According to the Nassau County Assistant District Attorney Jared Rosenblatt, DNA evidence sourced from a vaginal swab linked Bilodeau, who was 24 at the time of the crime and living just a mile from the rink, to the case.
Thomas Fusco, Theresa’s father, expressed relief and gratitude upon learning of the charges, stating that he never lost faith in the justice system despite the many years of uncertainty. “For me, hearing that there was someone who took my daughter’s life will bring closure to me and my family,” he remarked emotionally, reflecting on the heartbreaking journey that has spanned nearly four decades.
The case had initially seen three local men wrongfully convicted in 1986, who collectively spent up to 18 years in prison. Their convictions were overturned after DNA evidence excluded them, leading to a $43 million settlement for wrongful prosecution. Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly emphasized that the scientific evidence gathered in this latest iteration of the investigation is irrefutable.
The reopening of this case unfolded when investigators tracked Bilodeau and secured a DNA sample from a straw he discarded at a local cafe. The DNA matched that found on Theresa’s body, leading to his arrest. “Science and DNA evidence doesn’t lie, period,” Donnelly asserted, further clarifying the reliability of modern forensic techniques.
While Bilodeau’s defense attorney insists on his client’s innocence, he remains in custody without bail, with a court appearance scheduled for November 21. The renewed attention on Theresa’s case not only offers hope for justice for her family but also reinforces the impact that advancements in forensic science can have on resolving cold cases from the past. Thomas Fusco, holding a photo of his daughter, emphasized the enduring love he has for her as he anticipates a potential resolution to this tragic chapter of his life.