New York Man Pleads Guilty to Murder, Dismemberment of Ex-Girlfriend

Damon Foy, 50, has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for killing his ex-girlfriend, Alberta Dale, 44, and keeping her severed head in a suitcase. Foy admitted to strangling Dale between March 31 and April 1, 2024, shortly after she ended their relationship. He subsequently dismembered her body in his Kerhonkson, New York apartment, retaining only her head as a memento.

Dale's family reported her missing on April 1, expressing concern due to a history of domestic violence and an order of protection Dale had against Foy. Police conducted welfare checks at Foy's apartment that day and noted Dale's car parked outside. Foy told officers that Dale had left the residence the previous day, stating she had no money for gas.

The following day, April 2, a local resident found Dale's phone on the street and turned it in to police. Detectives also learned from a staff member at the Ulster County Crime Victims Assistance Program that Dale had previously stated, "if she went missing, it was because [Foy] killed her."

Responding to this information, six officers returned to Foy's apartment with his permission. During the search, officers noted a strong smell of bleach and observed cleaning supplies. Foy, who had been drinking, asked for a lawyer and stated, "I loved this girl."

When asked to move from in front of a closet, Foy complied. Inside, officers found a heavy carry-on suitcase that appeared to have dried blood on it. When questioned about its contents, Foy became defensive but later whispered to a detective, "I killed her. She's in there, I killed her."

Upon obtaining a warrant, officers opened the suitcase and discovered Dale's severed head, along with a flower. The rest of her remains were not found in the suitcase. During a subsequent interview, Foy explained he put the flower in the bag, reiterating, "I loved that girl."

Prosecutors dropped other charges against Foy, including aggravated criminal contempt and concealment of a human corpse, in exchange for his guilty plea to murder. He faces a sentence of 23 years to life in prison. Foy is scheduled to be sentenced on December 16.