“She’s in There”: Man Confesses to Killing Ex-Girlfriend and Keeping Her Severed Head in Suitcase With a Flower

A chilling confession has brought a disturbing murder case back into the spotlight after a New York man admitted to killing his former girlfriend, dismembering her body and keeping some of her remains inside a small suitcase. When investigators arrived at his apartment searching for the missing woman, he allegedly whispered a few haunting words: “She’s in there.” Inside the suitcase, police discovered the severed head of 44-year-old Alberta Dale, along with a flower.

Damon Foy, 50, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in October 2026 in connection with Dale’s death. Prosecutors believe he killed her between March 31 and April 1, 2024, after their relationship had broken down. Dale, who was from Pennsylvania, had reportedly ended the relationship, and investigators said the pair had been involved in a bitter dispute over the living arrangements at their home in Kerhonkson, New York.

The investigation began when Dale’s family reported her missing and requested a welfare check. Deputies went to Foy’s apartment on April 1, 2024, and found Dale’s unoccupied vehicle at the property. The situation became more alarming the following day, when her personal belongings and cellphone were reportedly found discarded along a nearby road. Investigators returned to Foy’s residence, determined to establish what had happened to her.

During the search, officers discovered a suitcase stored in a closet. According to court documents, it appeared unusually heavy for its size, and investigators noticed what looked like dried blood on the outside. After obtaining a warrant to open it, they found Dale’s partially dismembered remains, including her severed head. The rest of her body was not recovered during the search. Police also reported finding bone and tissue fragments elsewhere in the apartment, along with tools and other items relevant to the investigation.

Foy later gave investigators an explanation rooted in resentment toward his former partner. In a police interview, he claimed he had loved Dale but accused her of treating him like a fool and taking advantage of him. He complained that she had told him to leave the home, describing the dispute as the moment when, in his words, everything became clear to him. His statements offered a disturbing glimpse into his alleged motive, although they do not lessen the seriousness of the crime.

The case also carried a troubling history of alleged domestic violence. According to court records, Foy had previously been involved in an incident with Dale that included a firearm, and a protective order requiring him to stay away from her was still active at the time of her death. Dale had reportedly told a crime victims unit that if she ever went missing, Foy would be responsible. That warning has taken on heartbreaking significance in the aftermath of her killing.

Even the flower found inside the suitcase became a haunting detail in an already disturbing case. Investigators questioned Foy about it, but he reportedly gave no clear explanation. Prosecutors have said Dale’s family supported the plea agreement, under which Foy is expected to receive a sentence of 23 years to life in prison. His formal sentencing is scheduled for December 16, 2026.

For Dale’s loved ones, the guilty plea brings a measure of accountability after years of unanswered questions, but it cannot undo the loss of a woman whose disappearance prompted a desperate search. The case stands as a stark reminder of the dangers that can accompany abusive relationships and escalating domestic conflict. Behind the shocking discovery was a family searching for someone they loved—and a woman who, according to court records, had feared that the man who killed her might one day be responsible for her disappearance.

Sources:  Law&Crime