A western New York man has been charged with murders of two women, decades apart, whose remains were found on a Buffalo hiking trail.
A hiker made a disturbing discovery on September 26, 2021, finding a human skull along the Chautauqua Rails to Trails, as disclosed by the Erie County District Attorney’s Office. Subsequent investigations revealed that the skull belonged to Cassandra Watson, with authorities suspecting she met her demise in either 2003 or 2004.
The following day after the skull was located, the body of Marquita Mull, aged 50, was discovered in close proximity to the trail. Unlike Watson, Mull had been reported missing by her family. Investigators determined that Mull’s life was taken sometime in late June of that particular year.
Richard Fox, 62, has now been charged with both murders.
Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane stated that Fox and Watson were believed to have been romantically involved around the time of her disappearance. Despite Watson, believed to be around 40 years old upon her death, not being officially reported missing, the circumstances of her demise are now under intense scrutiny.
Keane said at a news conference that there was no apparent relationship between Fox and Mull, Law&Crime reported. The DA said Mull was seen getting into a vehicle with Fox on the last day she was seen. Both women were strangled.
Keane also said that Fox grew up in the area and knew it well.
Fox was arrested in January and arraigned on Thursday, also facing a charge of failing to register as a sex offender. He is due back in court in April, and his trial is set to begin in October.
Fox is being held without bail.
