A man in New York has been accused by prosecutors of raping and murdering a 16-year-old girl in 1984. The victim, Theresa Fusco, was found dead near the roller rink where she worked on Long Island. Richard Bilodeau, 63, has been linked to DNA found on Fusco’s body at the time of her murder. Being charged with second-degree murder and committing the murder during a rape, Bilodeau maintained his innocence, and it remains unclear if he has legal representation. Fusco was last seen leaving the Hot Skates roller rink in Lynbrook, N.Y., where she worked, in November 1984. She was reported missing and was tragically found dead a month later in a wooded area near the rink. The cause of her death was determined to be rape and strangulation.
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Authorities had three men arrested and tried for Fusco’s murder in 1986, but their convictions were overturned in 2003 due to DNA evidence that cleared them. Surveillance on Bilodeau began in 2024, with a breakthrough coming in February when his DNA was matched to a sample taken from Fusco’s body in 1984. When confronted by police about the DNA match, Bilodeau allegedly made the cryptic statement, “People got away with murder back then,” suggesting potential guilt or knowledge of the crime. At the time of Fusco’s murder, Bilodeau lived near the rink and the victim’s home. He now resides 60 miles away from the scene of the crime in Center Moriches.
Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly emphasised the importance of seeking justice for Fusco and her family, stating, “Theresa Fusco’s life was violently stolen from her 40 years ago, and since then, her family has suffered an enduring pain and the lingering question of who committed such a heinous act.” The indictment of Bilodeau reaffirms the commitment to never give up on seeking justice for victims of crime, no matter how much time has passed. Bilodeau’s first court appearance saw an emotional Thomas Fusco, the victim’s father, present, while Fusco’s mother, who passed away in 2019, was not able to witness the proceedings. Bilodeau is scheduled to appear in court again on November 21, facing a potential sentence of 25 years to life in prison if convicted.
The case serves as a reminder of the power of DNA evidence in solving cold cases and bringing closure to families of victims after decades of uncertainty. The alleged statement made by the suspect when confronted by authorities adds a layer of intrigue to the investigation, prompting questions about what he may have known or been involved in at the time of the murder. As the legal process unfolds, the community waits for answers and justice to be served in a case that has haunted the Fusco family for over four decades. The determination of law enforcement to see justice done, even after many years, underscores the importance of never giving up on seeking truth and closure for victims and their loved ones.