Theresa Fusco

Ep 314: A teenager vanishes one night after leaving work– decades later, the haunting truth of who took her has finally been revealed. This is Theresa Fusco story. On the night of November 10, 1984, 16-year-old Teresa Fusco was fired from her job at the Hot Skates roller rink and set off on the short walk home through Lynbrook, New York. She never made it. Weeks later, her body was found in a wooded area not far from her route — and her Long Island community realized she was not the only teenage girl to vanish while walking at night. Her friend Kelly Morrissey had disappeared months earlier, and 19-year-old Jacqueline Martarella would go missing the following spring, in a cluster the press came to call the Lynbrook Triangle. Under enormous pressure, Nassau County investigators zeroed in on John Kogut, John Restivo and Dennis Halstead. What followed involved an 18-hour interrogation, polygraphs, jailhouse informants and two hairs analyzed by microscopic hair analysis — evidence that would later draw the attention of Centurion Ministries and the Innocence Project. Megan and Amy trace the investigation, the trials, the science that came after, and what research on false confessions from experts like Dr. Saul Kassin reveals about how cases like this are built. Who really took Teresa Fusco — and what did it take to ask that question again? Sources for Today's Episode: The Innocence Project Centurion Ministries CBS News NBC News MSN.com The Guardian The Charley Project Credits: Written and Hosted by Amy Shlosberg and Meghan Sacks Produced by James Varga Audio Editor, Jose Alfonzo Script Editor, Abagail Belcastro Music by Dessert Media Get Even More Women&Crime Episodes: Patreon - Ad-free shows starting at $2 a month, or upgrade for $5 a month to get a new extra episode every month, as well as exclusive virtual HappyHours with Meg & Amy. Check-out other tiers for perks such as lectures, true crime book club, and more! Visit our Patreon page for more info: https://www.patreon.com/womenandcrime/ Apple Subscriptions - Exclusive episodes and ad-free regular stories are now available through Apple's podcast app for only $4.99 a month, or save with an annual membership. YouTube Memberships - Exclusive episode available on YouTube for only $4.99 a month. https://www.youtube.com/@WomenandCrime/membership/ Help is Available: If you or someone you know is in a crisis situation, or a victim of domestic, or other violence, there are many organizations that can offer support or help you in your specific situation. For direct links to these organizations please visit https://womenandcrimepodcast.com/resources/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices