Topline: Prosecutors allege the first murder happened around 2003 or 2004, while the second murder took place in 2021.
Published: February 15, 2025 8:00 am ET
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Richard Fox (via New York State Sex Offender Registry)
BUFFALO, NY — A long-unsolved mystery spanning more than a decade has led to the indictment of a New York man, who faces charges for the murders of two women in Buffalo.
According to the Erie County District Attorney’s Office, 62-year-old Richard J. Fox, of Buffalo, was arraigned on Thursday, February 13, on an indictment charging him with two counts of second-degree murder.
Prosecutors allege that between on or about 2003 and 2004, Fox intentionally caused the death of Cassandra Watson at a location in Buffalo, New York.
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. The skeletal remains were recovered from the site the next day.
Forensic analysis determined that the human remains had been at the site for more than a decade. The identity of the victim was later determined in December 2024.
Prosecutors believe Fox was in a relationship with the victim during the time of her disappearance, but the victim was not reported as a missing person to law enforcement.
It is further alleged that on or about late June 2021, Fox intentionally caused the death of a second female victim at another location in Buffalo. The victim, 50-year-old Marquita Mull, was later reported missing by her family.
On September 27, 2021, Mull’s body was found during the investigation into the skeletal remains recovered near the hiking trail in Chautauqua County.
During a press conference, Keane said authorities believed both women died of strangulation.
Fox is scheduled to return on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. for a pre-trial conference. He remains held without bail.
If convicted, Fox faces a maximum sentence of 50 years to life in prison.
“As a result of the diligent and collaborative work of this multi-agency investigation, I am pleased to announce an indictment against this defendant and the identity of the second victim,” said District Attorney Mike Keane. “The families of Cassandra Watson and Marquita Mull have waited a long time for answers, and we are committed to obtaining justice for the victims.”
This investigation is ongoing.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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TWO DECADES LATER: Buffalo Man Indicted for Murders of Two Women
Prosecutors allege the first murder happened around 2003 or 2004, while the second murder took place in 2021.
By Jacob Charles
Published: February 15, 2025 8:00 am ET
Richard Fox (via New York State Sex Offender Registry)
BUFFALO, NY — A long-unsolved mystery spanning more than a decade has led to the indictment of a New York man, who faces charges for the murders of two women in Buffalo.
According to the Erie County District Attorney’s Office, 62-year-old Richard J. Fox, of Buffalo, was arraigned on Thursday, February 13, on an indictment charging him with two counts of second-degree murder.
Prosecutors allege that between on or about 2003 and 2004, Fox intentionally caused the death of Cassandra Watson at a location in Buffalo, New York.
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. The skeletal remains were recovered from the site the next day.
Forensic analysis determined that the human remains had been at the site for more than a decade. The identity of the victim was later determined in December 2024.
Prosecutors believe Fox was in a relationship with the victim during the time of her disappearance, but the victim was not reported as a missing person to law enforcement.
It is further alleged that on or about late June 2021, Fox intentionally caused the death of a second female victim at another location in Buffalo. The victim, 50-year-old Marquita Mull, was later reported missing by her family.
On September 27, 2021, Mull’s body was found during the investigation into the skeletal remains recovered near the hiking trail in Chautauqua County.
During a press conference, Keane said authorities believed both women died of strangulation.
Fox is scheduled to return on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. for a pre-trial conference. He remains held without bail.
If convicted, Fox faces a maximum sentence of 50 years to life in prison.
“As a result of the diligent and collaborative work of this multi-agency investigation, I am pleased to announce an indictment against this defendant and the identity of the second victim,” said District Attorney Mike Keane. “The families of Cassandra Watson and Marquita Mull have waited a long time for answers, and we are committed to obtaining justice for the victims.”
This investigation is ongoing.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
TWO DECADES LATER: Buffalo Man Indicted for Murders of Two Women
Prosecutors allege the first murder happened around 2003 or 2004, while the second murder took place in 2021.
By Jacob Charles
Published: February 15, 2025 8:00 am ET
Richard Fox (via New York State Sex Offender Registry)
BUFFALO, NY — A long-unsolved mystery spanning more than a decade has led to the indictment of a New York man, who faces charges for the murders of two women in Buffalo.
According to the Erie County District Attorney’s Office, 62-year-old Richard J. Fox, of Buffalo, was arraigned on Thursday, February 13, on an indictment charging him with two counts of second-degree murder.
Prosecutors allege that between on or about 2003 and 2004, Fox intentionally caused the death of Cassandra Watson at a location in Buffalo, New York.
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. The skeletal remains were recovered from the site the next day.
Forensic analysis determined that the human remains had been at the site for more than a decade. The identity of the victim was later determined in December 2024.
Prosecutors believe Fox was in a relationship with the victim during the time of her disappearance, but the victim was not reported as a missing person to law enforcement.
It is further alleged that on or about late June 2021, Fox intentionally caused the death of a second female victim at another location in Buffalo. The victim, 50-year-old Marquita Mull, was later reported missing by her family.
On September 27, 2021, Mull’s body was found during the investigation into the skeletal remains recovered near the hiking trail in Chautauqua County.
During a press conference, Keane said authorities believed both women died of strangulation.
Fox is scheduled to return on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. for a pre-trial conference. He remains held without bail.
If convicted, Fox faces a maximum sentence of 50 years to life in prison.
“As a result of the diligent and collaborative work of this multi-agency investigation, I am pleased to announce an indictment against this defendant and the identity of the second victim,” said District Attorney Mike Keane. “The families of Cassandra Watson and Marquita Mull have waited a long time for answers, and we are committed to obtaining justice for the victims.”
This investigation is ongoing.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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