Loved Ones Seek Justice as Niagara Falls Man Faces Murder Charges in Deaths of Two Women

Grief and a desire for justice filled the courtroom Tuesday as family members of two murdered women confronted the reality of a long-awaited trial. Richard Fox, a 62-year-old Niagara Falls resident, appeared in court for a pre-trial conference, facing two counts of second-degree murder in connection with the deaths of Marquita Mull and Cassandra Watson. Their bodies were discovered in shallow graves near a trail in Chautauqua County in 2021.

Mull’s sister, Wendy Mull, was among the loved ones who gathered to demand accountability.

“Richard, you did it. Just admit it and take your punishment,” she said outside the courtroom to WIVB News 4. “You’ve caused so much pain for so many families. We’re grieving, and that pain doesn’t end.”

Wendy has committed to being present at every court appearance, not only for her sister but for other families who may have been impacted.

“He didn’t just take Marquita,” she said. “He stole others too.” She was referencing not only Mull’s death but the subsequent discovery that Watson’s remains were also located nearby.

According to investigators, in late March 2024, human remains were found in the basement of Fox’s former home in Niagara Falls, adding further weight to suspicions of his involvement in additional homicides.

“He’s a monster,” Wendy said. “I’ve feared from the beginning that this wasn’t the end of it.”

Fox, who was apprehended on January 7th by Niagara Falls Police and the U.S. Marshals Violent Fugitive Task Force, initially faced charges related to failing to register as a sex offender.

Fox has pleaded not guilty. State Supreme Court Justice Susanne Maxwell Barnes has scheduled jury selection in the case to begin on October 2nd. If convicted on both murder charges, Fox could face up to 50 years to life in prison.

Cassandra Watson who vanished in Buffalo sometime around 2003 or 2004. Authorities say Fox and Watson were romantically involved and lived together at the time of her disappearance. Her remains were located on September 26, 2021, just a day before Mull’s body was found off the same trail in Chautauqua County.

The case surrounding Watson’s death had gone cold for nearly two decades until the dual discovery of the two sets of remains brought new momentum to the investigation.

At a press conference, Erie County District Attorney Michael Keane confirmed that both women were likely strangled and later transported from Buffalo to Chautauqua County. While Fox had no known connection to Mull, Keane explained that she entered Fox’s vehicle willingly before being killed.

Fox has a disturbing criminal past. In 1993, he was convicted of third-degree rape involving a 14-year-old girl and received a sentence of 18 months to 3 years in prison. More than a decade later, in 2005, he was convicted of attempted rape and aggravated sexual abuse of a 42-year-old woman in Buffalo and sentenced to 15 years.

He is classified as a Level 3 sex offender - the highest risk level - indicating a strong likelihood of reoffending.

Authorities continue to search for additional victims. Keane has urged the public to come forward with any information related to Fox’s past. Investigators note that Fox grew up just a short distance from the area where both women’s bodies were recovered.

Fox is currently being held without bail.

As the legal process moves forward, the victims’ families remain determined to see justice served.

“I’ll keep showing up,” Wendy Mull said. “Not just for my sister, but for anyone else he’s hurt.”

Loved Ones Seek Justice as Niagara Falls Man Faces Murder Charges in Deaths of Two Women