Police in the United States fear they may be dealing with a serial killer after a handyman already serving time for two murders was charged with a third killing.
A Grisly Discovery and a Third Charge
Richard Fox, 62, a former handyman, has now been charged with second-degree murder in connection with the death of Crystal Curthoys, 32. The near-skeletal remains of Curthoys were discovered wrapped in tarpaulin at a property owned by Fox in Niagara Falls, upstate New York. A subsequent dental examination confirmed her identity.
Fox is already incarcerated, having pleaded guilty to the murders of Cassandra Watson, 40, in 2003 and Marquita Mull, 50, in 2021. He admitted to dumping both women's bodies along the Chautauqua Rails to Trails, close to his childhood home. He is currently serving a sentence of 40 years to life.
Police Suspect More Victims
Chautauqua County Sheriff James Quattrone has publicly stated his belief that Fox has more victims. The investigation is now examining potential links to other unsolved murders. Following Fox's arrest in January of last year, the search of his property led to the grim discovery of Curthoys' remains.
"I do believe that there [are] other victims," Sheriff Quattrone told WIVB. "We're hopeful that Richard Fox will hopefully try to ease his conscience a little bit and give us some more information." Prosecutors indicated Fox had been in a relationship with Watson around the year 2000. Both Watson and Mull vanished from Buffalo, New York, with Mull's remains found near where Watson's were left.
A History of Violent and Sexual Offences
Further scrutiny of Fox's past reveals a long history of serious sexual crimes. In 1993, he was sentenced to 18 months to three years for the third-degree rape of a 14-year-old girl. He was also later convicted of the first-degree attempted rape and aggravated sexual abuse of a 42-year-old woman in Buffalo, receiving a 15-year sentence for that offence.
At his sentencing for the murders of Watson and Mull, Judge Suzanne Maxwell delivered a damning assessment of the defendant. "I can honestly say you should never see the light of day. Evil," she commented. "That is the one word that sums up this case. Evil."
Richard Fox remains held in Niagara County jail and is scheduled to return to court on January 5 regarding the latest murder charge. The expanding investigation continues as authorities work to determine the full extent of his alleged crimes.
