315. The Random Killing of Theresa Cha

This episode of Murder With My Husband explores the tragic and unsolved murder of Teresa Cha, a rising author and artist in 1980s New York City. Just days after publishing her groundbreaking book *Dicte*, a genre-bending collection of poetry and photography, Teresa was brutally killed on November 5, 1982, and her body was discovered in a Soho parking lot. Initially unidentified, she was known only as 'Asian Jane Doe' until her husband, Richard Barnes, identified her from a Polaroid. The investigation quickly pointed to Joey Sanza, a security guard at the Puck Building—Teresa’s intended destination—whose bizarre behavior, possession of her stolen wedding ring, and disappearance after the murder made him the prime suspect. A month later, Teresa’s family discovered her missing red beret and gloves in a construction basement, revealing a hidden crime scene. Joey was eventually tracked down in Florida six months later, arrested for another sexual assault, and extradited to New York. Though his first two trials were overturned due to the inadmissible use of his prior sexual assault history (under the Molyneux rule), a third trial in 1987 secured a conviction for second-degree murder and sexual assault, finally delivering justice after five years of legal battles. The episode reflects on the profound loss of a voice that could have reshaped literature and feminist thought, and critiques the legal system’s failure to use pattern evidence in violent crimes. The hosts, Peyton and Garrett Morland, deliver a powerful emotional narrative, blending empathy with sharp critique of systemic flaws. They highlight how Teresa’s murder was not just a random act, but the culmination of a violent pattern in a man with a documented history of sexual violence. The episode underscores the devastating impact of crimes against marginalized voices—especially Asian American women—and questions why society allows repeat offenders to remain free. The hosts also reflect on the psychological toll of true crime, expressing discomfort with the randomness and senselessness of such tragedies, while emphasizing the importance of remembering victims and demanding justice, even when the legal system fails.