Damon Foy, a 50‑year‑old man from Kerhonkson, New York, pleaded guilty in Ulster County court to second‑degree murder after killing and dismembering his 44‑year‑old ex‑girlfriend Alberta Dale of Pennsylvania between March 31 and April 1, 2024. The plea agreement calls for a prison term of 23 years to life.
**What triggered the investigation?**
The investigation began on April 1, 2024, when relatives of Dale, who lived in Pennsylvania, contacted authorities because they could not reach her. Deputies from the [Ulster County Sheriff's Office](https://www.ulstercountyny.gov/sheriff) performed a welfare check that quickly turned into a missing‑person case. Later that day, officers visited Foy’s apartment and discovered Dale’s vehicle on the premises.
**How did police locate the victim’s remains?**
On April 2, a member of the public turned in Dale’s mobile phone, which led detectives to suspect foul play. When they returned to Foy’s home, he whispered, “She’s in there. I killed her,” to investigators. A search warrant was obtained, and officers opened a suitcase found in a closet. Inside they observed dried blood and, upon further inspection, the partial dismembered remains of Dale, including her severed head. The remaining portions of her body were not recovered during the search.
**What did the suspect say about the crime?**
During a later interview, Foy told investigators he “loved her” but accused her of “playing him like a fool” and taking advantage of him. He claimed he was told to leave his own home and that the situation escalated, prompting the violent act. When asked about a flower placed in the suitcase, he offered only a vague comment about “what still happened last night.”
**What sentence is expected?**
Under the plea deal, Foy is slated to receive a term of 23 years to life, which is two years less than the maximum possible sentence of 25 years to life for the charge. The agreement reflects the seriousness of the homicide and the dismemberment of the victim’s body.
The case highlights a pattern of domestic violence, as court records indicate Foy had previously abused Dale, and she had warned authorities that her disappearance could mean she had been killed by him.