Richard Fox

Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane said that Richard J. Fox, 62, of Buffalo, pleaded guilty Friday morning before Erie County Court Judge Suzanne Maxwell Barnes to two counts of second-degree murder. Fox pleaded guilty, as charged, to all counts in the indictment.

Between on or about 2003 and 2004, the defendant intentionally caused the death of Cassandra Watson at a location in the City of Buffalo. On September 26, 2021, a hiker found a human skull while walking along the Chautauqua Rails to Trails near Woleben Road in the Town of Portland. Forensic analysis determined that the skeletal remains had been buried at the site for more than a decade. After her identity was confirmed in December 2024, the investigation determined that the defendant was in a relationship with the victim at the time of her disappearance. The victim was not reported as a missing person to law enforcement.

On or about late June 2021, the defendant intentionally caused the death of a second female victim at another location in the City of Buffalo. The victim, 50-year-old Marquita Mull, was later reported missing by her family. On Sept. 27, 2021, the victim’s body was found during the excavation of the skeletal remains recovered near the hiking trail in Chautauqua County.

“The families of Cassandra Watson and Marquita Mull have waited a long time for justice. I hope that they can continue their journey towards healing with the knowledge that this defendant, who was not offered a reduced plea, will spend the rest of his life in prison for these crimes. The successful prosecution of this case is the result of years of tireless work and excellent collaboration among the lead investigators, several law enforcement agencies, forensic analysists, genealogy experts, our prosecutors and many others. I thank you all for your dedicated service,” said District Attorney Mike Keane.

Fox faces 40 years to life in prison when he is sentenced on Thursday, Nov. 20, at 9:30 a.m. He remains held without bail.

DA Keane commends Sheriff James Quattrone, Lieutenant Alex Nutt, Sergeant Luke Jonson, Investigator Jacob Stahley and members of the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office as well as Chief of Detectives Joseph Langdon, retired Chief of Detectives William Macy, Detective Mark Costantino, Detective Joseph Ruggiero and members of the Buffalo Police Department Homicide, Special Victims and Narcotics units for their work in this investigation. DA Keane also commends the New York State Police, Lakewood-Busti Police Department, Niagara Falls Police Department, Chautauqua County District Attorney’s Office, Erie County Crime Analysis Center, Erie County Central Police Services Forensic Laboratory, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Othram Labs, and the Applied Forensic Science Department and Anthropology Lab at Mercyhurst University for their assistance, expertise and support in this multi-agency investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Chief Ashley M. Morgan of the Major Crimes Bureau with the assistance of Assistant District Attorney Anthony J. Campanella of the Felony Trials Bureau, Assistant Chief Hilarie L. Henry of the Buffalo City Court Bureau, Chief Eugene T. Partridge, III, of the Homicide Bureau, and former Deputy District Attorney John P. Feroleto.