A New York man has been charged with two counts of murder in connection with the deaths of two women whose remains were found near each other on a hiking trail. The case began when a hiker made a gruesome discovery in a remote area, leading to an investigation that connected the suspect to both victims.
Authorities charged 62-year-old Richard J. Fox in the murders of two women: 50-year-old Marquita Mull and Cassandra Watson. The case unfolded when a hiker found a human skull along the Chautauqua Rails to Trails near Woleben Road in Portland, New York, on September 26, 2021. The next day, additional human remains were discovered in the same area. It was later determined that the skull belonged to Watson, while the other remains were identified as Mull.
Investigators believe that the second set of remains had been in the area for over a decade, making identification difficult. By December 2024, forensic analysis confirmed the remains as belonging to Watson. Authorities believe Watson was in a relationship with Fox around 2003 or 2004, the time when she is believed to have been killed. At the time of her disappearance, Watson was estimated to be around 40 years old.
Meanwhile, Mull’s murder was determined to have taken place in June 2021, just months before her remains were discovered. Investigators say that she entered a vehicle driven by Fox after he picked her up off the street. Unlike Watson, Mull was not known to have any prior relationship with Fox before her death.
Fox, a convicted sex offender, grew up in the area where both women were found, suggesting that he was familiar with the remote location. Authorities believe both women were strangled and that their bodies were transported to the hiking trail after they were killed in Buffalo.
The suspect was initially arrested in January on charges related to Mull’s death. However, after Watson’s remains were identified, Fox was formally charged in connection to her murder as well. He appeared in court to be arraigned on the latest charges and is scheduled to return to court on April 30. A trial date has been set for October 30.
In addition to the two second-degree murder charges, Fox also faces four counts of failure to report as a sex offender. He is currently being held without bail as he awaits trial.
The case highlights the long investigative process required to identify remains that had been left exposed to the elements for years. Advances in forensic science played a crucial role in confirming Watson’s identity, allowing authorities to pursue justice in a case that had gone unsolved for more than a decade.
Investigators believe that Fox used his knowledge of the area to dispose of the bodies in a location where he thought they would not be discovered. However, the hiker’s discovery of Watson’s skull in 2021 led to a renewed investigation that ultimately resulted in charges against Fox.
Authorities have not disclosed any potential motives for the killings, but the pattern of violence and the nature of the crimes suggest a calculated effort to target vulnerable individuals. Given Fox’s history as a convicted sex offender, investigators are also looking into the possibility that he may have been involved in other unsolved cases.
For now, the focus remains on preparing the case for trial. Prosecutors are expected to present forensic evidence linking Fox to both crimes, as well as any additional witness testimony that may shed light on the circumstances surrounding the victims’ deaths.
If convicted, Fox could face a lengthy prison sentence. His criminal history and failure to comply with sex offender reporting requirements further complicate his legal situation.
Both Watson’s and Mull’s families have expressed their grief and hope that justice will be served. The long delay in identifying Watson’s remains was particularly difficult for her loved ones, who had spent years without answers regarding her disappearance. Now, with charges formally filed, they are looking to the legal system for closure.
As the case moves forward, authorities continue to urge anyone with additional information to come forward. With the investigation still ongoing, there remains a possibility that more details will emerge regarding Fox’s activities and whether other victims may be connected to him.
