NY Man Pleads Guilty in Killing of Ex-Girlfriend, 44

A New York man has pleaded guilty to killing his ex-girlfriend and dismembering her body after she ended their relationship, more than two years after investigators found her remains in a suitcase in his closet.

Damon Foy, 50, of Kerhonkson in Ulster County, pleaded guilty earlier this month to second-degree murder in the death of Alberta Dale, 44, of Pennsylvania. Prosecutors say Foy killed Dale between March 31 and April 1, 2024, after she broke up with him. He is awaiting sentencing, and Dale's family reportedly supports the plea deal.

Authorities searching for Dale went to Foy's home in April 2024 with a search warrant. In a closet, they found a suitcase with what appeared to be dried blood on it. "She's in there," Foy told investigators, according to prosecutors. Inside were Dale's partial remains. The rest of her body was not found during the search, though investigators reported finding bone and tissue fragments elsewhere in the home.

Prosecutors say Foy had a history of domestic violence involving Dale. According to court filings, Dale had previously told a crime victims unit that "if she went missing it was because [Foy] killed her."

In interviews with investigators, Foy said he had loved Dale but claimed she had taken advantage of him throughout their relationship. He said their final argument came after she ended things and kicked him out of the home.

A sentencing date has not been publicly announced.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.