Man Kills Ex-Girlfriend, Keeps Her Head in Suitcase

A man from New York has confessed to killing his ex-girlfriend, cutting her body into pieces, and storing her severed head inside a suitcase alongside a flower. Damon Foy, 50 years old, strangled Alberta Dale, 44, sometime between March 31 and April 1 in 2024. This act happened right after she ended their relationship, according to court documents seen by the Daily Mail.

Foy then chopped up her body at his home. He threw away most of it but kept her head as a twisted memento in his apartment in Kerhonkson. That town sits about 100 miles north of New York City. Dale had an order of protection against Foy, and the pair shared a long history of domestic violence. Police started looking into Foy on April 1 after Dale's family reported her missing and asked for a welfare check at his place.

Officers found Dale's severed head in a carry-on suitcase hidden inside a closet on April 2. They arrested him immediately. He was quickly indicted on charges that include second-degree murder, aggravated criminal contempt, concealment of a human corpse, criminal mischief, assault, strangulation, and weapons possession. Foy pleaded guilty to the murder charge last week. Prosecutors dropped all other charges in exchange for his plea.

Under this deal, he faces 23 years to life behind bars. That sentence is two years below the state's maximum of 25 years to life for second-degree murder. His sentencing hearing is set for December 16. Dale was strangled to death by her ex-boyfriend in 2024. He then chopped up her body and kept her severed head in a suitcase with a flower inside it.

Dale's family reported her missing on April 1 because they had not heard from her and feared for her safety. They knew about the abuse she suffered and the protection order against Foy. Police did two welfare checks at his apartment that day but could not find Dale. Her car was parked in front of the home, though.

Foy told officers that she left a day earlier using an Uber or Lyft because she had no money for gas or to fix her vehicle. He claimed she came back to get some belongings, noting he was nowhere near when she arrived or left due to the order of protection. His last conversation with her was over the phone 24 hours prior.

The next day, a local resident found a phone on the street and handed it to police. Detectives quickly realized it belonged to Dale. Around that time, an assistant district attorney told investigators that Dale had previously said to a staff member at the Ulster County Crime Victims Assistance Program: if she went missing, it was because Foy killed her.

Six armed officers returned to his apartment on April 2 and searched with his permission. He had been drinking before they arrived and continued to drink while they worked, becoming increasingly intoxicated. Officers noted a strong smell of bleach in the place. An open bottle sat on the kitchen counter and a pail held a brand-new mop in the corner.

In one of the two bedrooms on the second floor, the bathroom was immaculately clean, officers observed. An open bag with rubber gloves lay inside the master bedroom. As police searched, Foy told an officer: I'm at the point now where I gotta call a lawyer. He also said: I loved this girl.

Foy stood in front of a closet while an officer asked him to move so he could search it.

Police found a suitcase inside the home that felt quite heavy for its size. When an officer shined a light on it, dried blood appeared on the surface immediately. Foy grew defensive at once. He held his hands up and shouted: 'See, no defensive wounds.' A detective then asked if Dale was in the bag. The reply was instant and angry: 'Are you out of your mind?' Officers stayed inside waiting for a warrant to search the container. While they waited, Foy whispered to one investigator: 'I killed her. She's in there, I killed her.'

The team finally received authorization and opened the case. They found Dale's severed head inside, but the rest of her body was missing. A flower sat among the remains. Later, a detective questioned Foy while he was in custody about why he put the flower in the bag. The murderer said: 'I loved that girl' and explained he was trying to figure out 'what still happened last night to take s*** over the top.