Photo: theguardian.com
DNA Breakthrough Indicts Suspect in Long Island Murder After 41-Year Wait for Justice
Richard Bilodeau, 63, has been indicted for the 1984 murder of Theresa Fusco, a 16-year-old girl from Lynbrook, New York, thanks to a DNA breakthrough after 41 years.
- On Tuesday, a Nassau County grand jury indicted Richard Bilodeau on two counts of murder related to the 1984 death of Theresa Fusco, highlighting a long-awaited closure for her family.
- Theresa Fusco, who was raped and murdered at the age of 16, disappeared from Long Island, New York, leading to wrongful convictions of other suspects for decades.
- The breakthrough in this cold case was made possible by DNA profiling from a discarded straw, which provided crucial evidence linking Bilodeau to the crime scene.
Why It Matters
This case underscores the importance of advances in forensic science, such as DNA, in solving long-standing unsolved crimes. It also highlights the need for justice for victims and the potential for wrongful convictions to be addressed.