Damon Foy pleads guilty to murdering ex-girlfriend and storing severed head in suitcase

Damon Foy, 50, has admitted killing Alberta Dale, 44, dismembering her body and keeping her severed head in a suitcase at his New York home.

New York man admits killing ex-girlfriend and hiding her remains in suitcase

Damon Foy, 50, has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder after confessing to killing his ex-girlfriend Alberta Dale, 44, dismembering her body, and storing her severed head in a suitcase inside a closet at his Kerhonkson home in Ulster County, New York, The Sun reports.

Foy told the court that Dale had "played him like a fool" throughout their relationship and had asked him to leave the house — a confrontation that led to the murder in March 2024.

In his own words to the court, Foy said: "The only thing she kept doing after the time throughout the whole relationship was just play me, play me like a fool, play me like a sucker, and just took advantage of the whole fing system. I was told to leave my own home, not a bill in her name, and I was told to leave my own fing home."

Grim discovery at his apartment

Police launched a missing persons investigation on 1 April 2024, after Dale's family reported her missing. During an initial search, detectives found only her car. Returning the following day after locating her phone and personal belongings, officers searched Foy's property more thoroughly.

As detectives entered, Foy whispered: "She's in there … I killed her."

Inside a closet, police uncovered a suitcase containing Dale's severed head and remains, along with dried blood. Prosecutors said the rest of her dismembered body was not recovered during the execution of the search warrant. Throughout the apartment, detectives found blood, bone, and tissue fragments, as well as potential weapons including an axe, pruning shears, and a serrated knife.

Foy was arrested on 3 April 2024.

Dale had warned authorities before her death

Dale had previously alerted a crime victims unit that if she ever went missing, Foy would be responsible. She had a history of alleged domestic violence against her, including a prior incident involving a firearm, which had resulted in an active stay-away order of protection at the time of her death.

Plea deal and sentencing

Foy has entered a plea agreement under which he is expected to receive a sentence of 23 years to life in state prison — two years less than the maximum of 25 years to life. He is due to be sentenced in December at Ulster County Court.

Ulster County District Attorney Emmanuel C. Nneji said in a statement: "The total selfish disregard for the life and dignity of another person is at the heart of domestic violence; Damon Foy has shown that to us. We must recognise in our laws the rights of victims of domestic violence to be physically, psychologically, and emotionally safe from their tormentors and the dangers specifically targeted for them, and demand procedures that actually protect victims for real, not just on paper."

Chief Assistant District Attorney Elizabeth Culmone-Mills added: "Over the past two and a half years, our office committed significant resources to this case and worked closely with the Ulster County Sheriff's Office, New York State Police, and our law enforcement partners to hold Damon Foy accountable. Alberta's family showed extraordinary strength and trust throughout this process. We are grateful to them, and to every investigator, prosecutor and member of our office who dedicated so much to seeking justice for Alberta."

Source: The Sun