Cold Case Breakthrough Identifies 'Montauk Mary' as Possible Victim of 'Thrill Killer'

Marrone, of Pleasantville, New Jersey, was last seen leaving a hospital in Somers Point, New Jersey, on March 16, 1978. She was killed six days later at East Overlook Park in Montauk, with an autopsy revealing three bullet wounds in her legs and one to her chest (Source ID: 1). [1]

Biegenwald, who died in prison in 2008, was convicted of killing six people between 1958 and 1982. He had been known to pick up victims he encountered walking in towns along the Jersey Shore, and a contemporary witness reported seeing a man with a beard sitting in a gold-colored car with New Jersey plates near the Montauk park where Marrone's remains were found (Source ID: 1). [1]

In 1978, Sofia Margherita Marrone was found shot dead near the Camp Hero radar tower in Montauk, New York, and remained an unidentified Jane Doe for nearly 50 years. Suffolk County investigators identified Marrone using new DNA methods and believe she may have been a victim of Richard Biegenwald, also known as the Jersey Shore 'Thrill Killer' (1). Biegenwald, who died in prison in 2008, was convicted of killing six people between 1958 and 1982. A contemporary witness reported seeing a man with a beard sitting in a gold-colored car with New Jersey plates near the Montauk park where Marrone's remains were found (1). [1]

Marrone, of Pleasantville, New Jersey, was last seen leaving a hospital in Somers Point, New Jersey, on March 16, 1978. She was killed six days later at East Overlook Park in Montauk. The autopsy found three bullet wounds in her legs and one to her chest (1). Investigators in Suffolk County, New York, have identified Sofia Margherita Marrone as a Jane Doe previously known as 'Montauk Mary.' Marrone had been found shot dead in 1978. Now, police say they believe she may have been a victim of the Jersey Shore 'Thrill Killer' (1). [1]

The Suffolk County District Attorney noted that Biegenwald was using the same rare .22-caliber short rounds when he was arrested in 1983, adding to the suspicion that he was involved in Marrone's death (1). Authorities have not yet called the case solved, but they have identified Marrone along with five other cold case victims, highlighting the importance of continued investigation and the use of modern forensic techniques (1). [1]

Sources

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Prepared with AI assistance from the cited sources.