A TWISTED man has admitted to brutally murdering his ex-girlfriend, chopping up her body and keeping her severed head in a suitcase.
Damon Foy, 50, confessed to killing Alberta Dale, 44, because she “played him like a fool” and ended their relationship.
Dale had previously warned a crime victims unit that if she ever went missing, it would be because Foy killed her.
In a closet at Foy’s house, police found a grim scene – a suitcase containing Dale’s remains, her severed head, and dried blood.
Prosecutors said the remainder of her dismembered body was not located during the execution of the search warrant.
Detectives discovered blood, bone, and tissue fragments throughout his apartment, alongside potential weapons including an axe, pruning shears, and a serrated knife.
In March 2024, an argument broke out after Dale asked Foy to leave the house, which led to the murder, according to Foy.
He told a court: “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 f***ing system.
“That’s it. I was told to leave my own home, not a bill in her name, and I was told to leave my own f***ing home.”
Foy pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and will be sentenced in December in Ulster County Court.
Police initially investigated Dale’s disappearance on April 1, 2024, after her family had reported her missing.
During the first search, they only found her car, but returned the next day after discovering her phone and personal belongings.
Whilst detectives searched Foy’s Kerhonkson home, he whispered “she’s in there[…] I killed her.”
He was arrested on April 3, 2024, but has now entered into a plea agreement, which is expected to be a sentence of 23 years to life in state prison.
This is two years less than the maximum sentence of 25 years to life, according to prosecutors.
He had a history of alleged domestic violence against Dale, including a prior incident involving a firearm.
This resulted in an active stay-away order of protection that was in place at the time of her tragic death.
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 recognize 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 said in a statement: “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.”