Offender Record · OFF-2026-045
Richard Francis Cottingham (photo from the Radford University biography)
Richard Francis Cottingham
Also known as The Torso Killer, Times Square Ripper, The Times Square Killer, The Bergen Strangler
Sex
Male
Race
White
Height
5'10"
Born
1946
Custody
Incarcerated
States
NJ, NY
Distinguishing featuresKnown for dismembering and mutilating victims; bite marks on victims; removed heads and hands from bodies; set some bodies on fire
Custody
Incarcerated at South Woods State Prison, Bridgeton, New Jersey · #000378516A
Custody record at the facility
Serving 3 life sentences plus 117.5 years; as of 2026 age 79
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Summary of the record
Richard Francis Cottingham was born November 25, 1946, in New York City. He was convicted of five murders in trials between 1981 and 1984 in New Jersey and New York: Valerie Ann Street in 1981, Maryann Carr in 1982, and three murders in New York in 1984 (Deedeh Goodarzi, an unidentified female, and Jean Reyner). He has since pleaded guilty to additional murders: Nancy Vogel in 2010, Mary Ann Pryor and Lorraine Kelly in 2021, and Diane Cusick and four other Nassau County women in 2022. Cottingham is currently incarcerated at South Woods State Prison in Bridgeton, New Jersey, serving multiple life sentences plus 117.5 years.
Documented Arrests, Charges and Convictions
Dispositions are shown exactly as the cited records report them. Pending charges are updated when a court acts; a record with no remaining conviction or pending charge is removed from the site.
Offense date Nov 01, 1967, Bergen County, New Jersey
Murder (Nancy Schiava Vogel)
Bergen County, New Jersey · Bergen County Superior Court · Arrested May 22, 1980 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: Included in existing life sentences; pleaded guilty after 43 years
A 29-year-old woman strangled to death in 1967. Cottingham pleaded guilty in 2010, confessing to this murder that occurred when he was 21 years old.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: Cottingham, Richard Francis; Richard Cottingham
Offense date Feb 10, 1968, Nassau County, New York
Murder (Diane Cusick and four other Nassau County women)
Nassau County, New York · Nassau County Superior Court · Arrested May 22, 1980 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: 25 years to life for Diane Cusick murder; immunity from prosecution for four additional murders (Mary Beth Heinz, Laverne Moye, Sheila Heiman, Maria Emerita Rosado Nieves) as defendant will be incarcerated for life
Diane Cusick, a 23-year-old woman, was found strangled outside Green Acres Mall on Long Island in 1968 while shopping for shoes. Cottingham confessed in 2022 and also admitted to four other Nassau County murders in 1972-1973 with immunity agreement. The Cusick murder was solved via DNA match, reportedly the oldest DNA hit to lead to prosecution in the U.S.
SourcesRichard Cottingham Pleads Guilty to 1968 Cold Case Murder; 'Times Square killer' pleads guilty to 1 woman's murder and admits killing 4 others
Offense date Aug 09, 1974, Bergen County, New Jersey
Murder (Mary Ann Pryor and Lorraine Marie Kelly)
Bergen County, New Jersey · Bergen County Superior Court · Arrested May 22, 1980 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: Two additional life sentences (awaiting sentencing in July 2021)
Two teenage girls, ages 17 and 16, hitchhiking to mall in August 1974. Cottingham kidnapped them, held them in motel, raped them over several days, drowned them in bathtub, then dumped bodies in wooded area in Montvale, New Jersey, 25 miles from home. Found 5 days later.
SourcesMary Ann Pryor Memorial; Richard Cottingham
Offense date Dec 16, 1977, Little Ferry, New Jersey
Second Degree Murder (Maryann Carr)
Bergen County, New Jersey · Bergen County Superior Court · Arrested May 22, 1980 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: 25 years to life, with minimum term of 30 years to run consecutively with 1981 sentence
A 26-year-old woman found bound at hands and feet with ligature around neck in motel parking lot in December 1977. She was the first victim identified and found in the apartment complex where Cottingham lived.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: Cottingham, Richard Francis; Richard Cottingham
Offense date Sep 23, 1978, Little Ferry, New Jersey
Sexual Assault and Attempted Murder (Karen Schilt)
Bergen County, New Jersey · Bergen County Superior Court · Arrested May 22, 1980 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: Included in overall 173-197 year sentence
Cottingham abducted a woman in New York City in September 1978, drugged her, and sexually assaulted her. He dumped her in a sewer at apartment complex in Little Ferry, New Jersey. She survived and later identified him in police lineup.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: Cottingham, Richard Francis; Richard Cottingham
Offense date Oct 13, 1978, South Hackensack, New Jersey
Sexual Assault and Attempted Murder (Susan Geiger)
Bergen County, New Jersey · Bergen County Superior Court · Arrested May 22, 1980 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: Included in overall 173-197 year sentence
A pregnant sex worker picked up in October 1978. Cottingham drugged, beat, and raped her, then left her in a motel room in South Hackensack, New Jersey. She survived and later identified him in police lineup.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: Cottingham, Richard Francis; Richard Cottingham
Offense date Dec 02, 1979, New York City, New York
Murder (Deedeh Goodarzi and unidentified female, and Jean Reyner)
New York County, New York · New York Supreme Court, Manhattan · Arrested May 22, 1980 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: 75 years to life for three murders
Two women found in Travel Inn Motor Hotel on December 2, 1979, with heads and hands removed, bodies burned. One was identified as a 23-year-old sex worker; the other remained unidentified. Jean Reyner, 25 years old, found strangled and mutilated on May 15, 1980, at Seville Hotel; throat cut and breasts removed.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: Cottingham, Richard Francis; Richard Cottingham; Richard Cottingham
Offense date May 04, 1980, Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey
First Degree Murder (Valerie Ann Street)
Bergen County, New Jersey · Bergen County Superior Court · Arrested May 22, 1980 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: 173-197 years in state prison; after application of concurrent terms, 60-95 years for 1981 sentence; also fined $2,350
An 18-year-old sex worker found beaten, handcuffed, and with bite marks. Body found at Quality Inn in Hasbrouck Heights on May 4, 1980.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: Cottingham, Richard Francis; Richard Cottingham; Richard Cottingham
Offense date May 12, 1980, Teaneck, New Jersey
Sexual Assault and Attempted Murder (Pamela Weisenfeld)
Bergen County, New Jersey · Bergen County Superior Court · Arrested May 22, 1980 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: Included in overall 173-197 year sentence
A woman drugged, beaten, and bitten by Cottingham on May 12, 1980. He dumped her in a parking lot in Teaneck, New Jersey. She survived with injuries including bite marks.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: Cottingham, Richard Francis
Offense date May 22, 1980, Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey
Attempted Murder and Sexual Assault (Leslie Ann O'Dell)
Bergen County, New Jersey · Bergen County Superior Court · Arrested May 22, 1980 · Convicted Convicted · Sentence: 15 of 20 counts convicted; included in overall 173-197 year sentence
An 18-year-old sex worker picked up at Lexington Avenue and 25th Street in Manhattan. Cottingham checked in with her at Quality Inn Room 117 in Hasbrouck Heights. He drugged, beat, raped, sodomized, slashed with knife, and bit her. Motel staff heard her screams and called police; Cottingham was arrested attempting to flee. This arrest led to discovery of evidence linking him to multiple murders.
SourcesRadford University serial killer biography: Cottingham, Richard Francis; Richard Cottingham
Pattern and Background
Victim counts and the pattern of the offenses as stated by courts, agencies and the cited reporting. Suspected counts are what officials have said publicly, not a finding of this site.
5
Victims convicted
14
Victims confessed
0
Victims suspected
Active years
1967–1980
Victim profile
Young women, Sex workers, Teenagers
Stated motive
Sexual, Power or control
Range from home
regional
Confessed
Yes
Cooperated with investigators
Yes
Education
high school
Marital history
Married, Divorced
Children
3
Places Lived, Worked and Frequented
Each place and date range comes from a cited record. Dates marked approximate are as reported. Know a place that is missing? Use Edit record under the photo; a moderator reviews it before it appears.
NJ
River Vale, New Jersey
approx. 1958 – 1964 · Family settled in River Vale when Richard was 12 years old; attended St. Andrews parochial school and later Pascack Valley High School in Hillsdale
Hillsdale, New Jersey
approx. 1960 – 1964 · Pascack Valley High School; joined cross country and track team
Lodi, New Jersey
1975 – 1980 · Moved to rented three-bedroom home at 29 Vreeland Street in Lodi, NJ in February 1975; living here with wife and three children at time of arrest
Bergen, New Jersey
May 22, 1980 – Oct 15, 1982 · Bergen County Jail during trials and conviction; attempted suicide by drinking six ounces of liquid antidepressant on June 14, 1981; also attempted escape on October 4, 1982
Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey
May 22, 1980 – May 22, 1980 · Arrested at Quality Inn motel while attempting to flee room where Leslie Ann O'Dell was being tortured
Trenton, New Jersey
Jul 25, 1981 – Mar 30, 1983 · Trenton State Prison (maximum security) after sentencing; transferred to men's house of detention in Manhattan, NY on March 30, 1983, for New York trial
Bridgeton, New Jersey
Aug 28, 1984 – present · South Woods State Prison, Bridgeton, New Jersey (Inmate #000378516A); serving 3 life sentences plus 117.5 years
NY
New York, New York
approx. 1964 – 1966 · Worked for father's insurance company Metropolitan Life as computer operator
New York, New York
1966 – 1980 · Worked for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Greater New York as computer operator
Queens Village, New York
approx. 1970 – 1974 · Married Janet at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Queens Village on May 3, 1970; lived at Ledgewood Terrace apartments in Little Ferry during 1970-1974
New York, New York
Mar 30, 1983 – Aug 28, 1984 · Men's house of detention in Manhattan for trial on August 1980 charges of murdering Deedeh Goodarzi, unidentified female, and Jean Reyner; attempted suicide by slashing left forearm with razor on July 5, 1984, before jury
Timeline
Nov 25, 1946
Richard Francis Cottingham born in Bronx, New York.
Nov 01, 1967
Cottingham strangled Nancy Schiava Vogel to death at age 21.
Oct 03, 1969
Cottingham charged and convicted of intoxicated driving in New York City; sentenced to 10 days in jail and $50 fine.
May 03, 1970
Cottingham married Janet at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Queens Village, New York.
Aug 21, 1972
Cottingham charged and convicted of shoplifting at Stern's Department Store in Paramus, New Jersey; sentenced to $50 fine.
Sep 04, 1973
Cottingham charged in New York City with robbery, sodomy, and sexual assault, but case was dismissed.
Feb 12, 1974
Cottingham charged with unlawful imprisonment and robbery in New York City, but case was dismissed.
Aug 09, 1974
Cottingham kidnapped, raped, and drowned Mary Ann Pryor, 17, and Lorraine Marie Kelly, 16, in a motel bathtub, later dumping their bodies in wooded area.
Dec 16, 1977
Cottingham murdered Maryann Carr, 26, by strangling her with ligature.
Sep 23, 1978
Cottingham abducted, drugged, and sexually assaulted Karen Schilt in New York City, dumping her in sewer at apartment complex in Little Ferry, New Jersey; she survived.
Oct 13, 1978
Cottingham picked up pregnant prostitute Susan Geiger, drugged, beat, and raped her, leaving her in motel room in South Hackensack, New Jersey; she survived.
Dec 02, 1979
Cottingham murdered Deedeh Goodarzi, 23, and an unidentified female in Travel Inn Motor Hotel at 515 West 42nd Street, New York City; both had heads and hands removed and bodies burned.
May 04, 1980
Body of Valerie Ann Street, 19, found naked, beaten, and bleeding at Quality Inn Motel in Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey.
May 12, 1980
Cottingham drugged, beat, and savagely bit Pamela Weisenfeld, dumping her in parking lot in Teaneck, New Jersey; she survived.
May 15, 1980
Body of Jean Reyner, 25, found stabbed, mutilated, and strangled in Hotel Seville at 22 East 29th Street, New York City; throat cut and breasts removed.
May 22, 1980
Cottingham arrested at Quality Inn Motel in Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey, attempting to flee room where he was assaulting 18-year-old Leslie Ann O'Dell.
Aug 14, 1980
Cottingham charged with triple homicide in New York City for murders of Mary Ann Jean Reyner, Deedeh Goodarzi, and unidentified female.
Sep 15, 1980
Cottingham identified in police lineup by victims Susan Geiger and Karen Schilt.
Sep 17, 1980
Bergen County Grand Jury returned 21-count indictment against Cottingham.
Jun 11, 1981
Cottingham convicted in Bergen County of 15 of 20 counts, including murder of Valerie Ann Street and sexual assault of Karen Schilt, Susan Geiger, and Leslie O'Dell.
Jun 14, 1981
Cottingham attempted suicide by drinking six ounces of liquid antidepressant in Bergen County jail cell.
Jul 25, 1981
Cottingham sentenced to 173-197 years in state prison for 1981 conviction; after application of concurrent terms, 60-95 years for kidnap and assault convictions.
Oct 12, 1982
Cottingham convicted of second degree murder of Maryann Carr in nonjury trial in Bergen County, New Jersey.
Oct 15, 1982
Cottingham sentenced to 25 years to life for Maryann Carr murder, with minimum term of 30 years to run consecutively with 1981 sentence.
Jul 05, 1984
Cottingham attempted suicide by slashing left forearm with razor in front of startled jurors during New York trial.
Jul 09, 1984
Cottingham convicted in New York for murders of Deedeh Goodarzi, unidentified female, and Jean Reyner.
Aug 28, 1984
Cottingham sentenced in Manhattan to additional 75 years to life for murders of Goodarzi, unidentified female, and Reyner.
Sep 18, 2010
Cottingham pleaded guilty to 1967 murder of Nancy Schiava Vogel, confessing to murder committed when he was 21 years old.
Apr 27, 2021
Cottingham pleaded guilty in Bergen County to two counts of murder for 1974 kidnapping, rape, and drowning deaths of Mary Ann Pryor, 17, and Lorraine Marie Kelly, 16.
Dec 05, 2022
Cottingham pleaded guilty in Nassau County to 1968 murder of Diane Cusick and admitted to four additional murders of young women in Nassau County in 1972-1973.
Sources
Solve the Case is never the original source. Each item below is the public record a statement on this page rests on, with an archived copy where one exists.
Other government record · Wikipedia (from official DOC records) ·
South Woods State Prison Inmate Registry“Richard Cottingham 000378516A Serving 3 life sentences plus 117.5 years. Serial Killer who was convicted in the early 1980's of 5 murders that happened between 1977-1980.”
News report · Murderpedia ·
Richard Cottingham“Richard Francis COTTINGHAM pleaded guilty last month in the 1967 slaying of Nancy Schiava Vogel”
News report · Wikipedia ·
Richard Cottingham“Richard Francis Cottingham (born November 25, 1946) is an American serial killer who committed ten murders in New York State between 1972 and 1980, plus a further ten murders in New Jersey between 1965 and 1980.”
Law enforcement release · Nassau County District Attorney ·
Richard Cottingham Pleads Guilty to 1968 Cold Case Murder“Richard Cottingham, 76, of the South Woods State Prison in Bridgeton, N.J., pleaded guilty today before Judge Caryn Fink to a charge of Murder in the Second Degree (an A-I felony) for the death of Diane Cusick.”
News report · CNN ·
'Times Square killer' pleads guilty to 1 woman's murder and admits killing 4 others“Richard Cottingham, 76, pleaded guilty to one count of murder in the second degree for the 1968 killing of Diane Cusick, and told the court he caused the deaths of four other women decades ago.”
News report · Find a Grave ·
Mary Ann Pryor Memorial“Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced the charging and conviction of RICHARD COTTINGHAM (DOB: 11/25/46; New Jersey State Prison) for the murders of 17-year-old Mary Ann Pryor and 16-year-old Lorraine Kelly in August 1974.”
Other · Radford University Psychology Department ·
Radford University serial killer biography: Cottingham, Richard Francis“06/11/1981 34 Bergen County: convicted of 15 of 20 counts”
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