DNA on a straw leads to a teen's suspected killer 40 years after she went missing | 48 Hours

In 1984, the disappearances of Kelly Morrisy and Teresa Fusco from Lindbrook, Long Island, profoundly disrupted the community's sense of safety, which was accustomed to children roaming freely.

Kelly Morrisy vanished on June 12th, 1984, and Teresa Fusco disappeared five months later on November 10th, 1984. Both were teenagers from the same area and knew each other, leading to a shattered sense of security in the community.

John Kogat, John Restivo, and Dennis Holstead were convicted of Teresa Fusco's murder based on Kogat's coerced confession and questionable physical evidence, such as hairs allegedly found in Restivo's van. Kogat's defense later argued his confession was staged and obtained after prolonged interrogation, sleep deprivation, and false information about a polygraph test.

Kogat's videotaped confession, where he struggled with names and asked for help, was presented as key evidence. His defense attorney, Paul Castillier, stated Kogat was an 'easy target' with a 10th-grade education and substance abuse issues, interrogated for nearly 12 hours and awake for almost 30.

Nearly two decades after the initial convictions, advanced DNA testing in 2003 excluded Kogat, Restivo, and Holstead, leading to their exoneration. In 2025, genetic genealogy matched the unidentified DNA from the crime scene to Richard Biladoo, who was 23 and lived near Teresa at the time of her death.

In 2003, more sophisticated DNA testing became available, excluding all three convicted men and revealing a complete profile of an unknown male. In 2024, the FBI matched this DNA to Richard Biladoo, confirmed by a discarded straw in 2025, leading to his indictment.

At Kogat's 2005 retrial, prosecutors downplayed the unknown DNA, suggesting Teresa had consensual sex before her murder, a claim her best friend Lisa vehemently denied. However, in 2025, the same DA's office now relies heavily on DNA evidence to indict Biladoo, highlighting a significant shift in their approach to forensic evidence.

Prosecutors in 2005 argued the DNA was irrelevant, suggesting Teresa had a 'consensual sexual encounter' despite her best friend testifying she was not sexually active. In 2025, DA Anne Donnelly stated, 'When you have a DNA match, 100% match, we got the guy,' emphasizing the scientific evidence.

Despite the new arrest in Teresa Fusco's case, the disappearances of Kelly Morrisy and Jackie Martella (1985), who was also raped and strangled, remain unsolved, leaving their families in prolonged emotional limbo.

Richard Biladoo is not facing charges in Kelly Morrisy's or Jackie Martella's cases, both of which remain unsolved. Kelly's family continues to hope for answers, 40 years later, while Teresa's family faces ongoing legal proceedings.