Vanessa Richardson

He was able to let his fantasies run wild. Specifically, he liked to think about overpowering and strangling the women, just like in his favorite movie, Frenzy. He didn't act on that fantasy at that point, but just the thought of it gave him an emotional rush, and it's one he chased again and again from that moment on.

After that first encounter, Joel started hiring sex workers so often it became like an addiction. He spent so much time with them, he only finished a single course during his first year of community college.

After that first encounter, Joel started hiring sex workers so often it became like an addiction. He spent so much time with them, he only finished a single course during his first year of community college.

After that first encounter, Joel started hiring sex workers so often it became like an addiction. He spent so much time with them, he only finished a single course during his first year of community college.

Well, maybe he realized he needed a change of scenery, because in the fall of 1978, Joel transferred to a state university in Brockport, New York, over 400 miles from Long Island. And it seemed to do him some good. While he was there, Joel started dating a fellow student. However, it wasn't enough to fill the void in his heart.

Well, maybe he realized he needed a change of scenery, because in the fall of 1978, Joel transferred to a state university in Brockport, New York, over 400 miles from Long Island. And it seemed to do him some good. While he was there, Joel started dating a fellow student. However, it wasn't enough to fill the void in his heart.

Well, maybe he realized he needed a change of scenery, because in the fall of 1978, Joel transferred to a state university in Brockport, New York, over 400 miles from Long Island. And it seemed to do him some good. While he was there, Joel started dating a fellow student. However, it wasn't enough to fill the void in his heart.

Joel was still depressed and lonely, and it took a toll on the relationship. Eventually, things fizzled out. Joel took the breakup hard. A friend who knew him at the time said, quote, he was in love with her. When that relationship ended, he talked about her for a very long time. Following that failed relationship, Joel tried to get his life back on track a few times.

Joel was still depressed and lonely, and it took a toll on the relationship. Eventually, things fizzled out. Joel took the breakup hard. A friend who knew him at the time said, quote, he was in love with her. When that relationship ended, he talked about her for a very long time. Following that failed relationship, Joel tried to get his life back on track a few times.

Joel was still depressed and lonely, and it took a toll on the relationship. Eventually, things fizzled out. Joel took the breakup hard. A friend who knew him at the time said, quote, he was in love with her. When that relationship ended, he talked about her for a very long time. Following that failed relationship, Joel tried to get his life back on track a few times.

Over the course of several years, he was in and out of college. It never stuck, though. He couldn't break his addiction to hiring sex workers or the fantasy of choking the life out of them. Those thoughts became so overwhelming, Joel finally gave up on academics in 1984 when he was 25. He ended up back in Long Island with his parents, working odd jobs to support his secret addiction.

Over the course of several years, he was in and out of college. It never stuck, though. He couldn't break his addiction to hiring sex workers or the fantasy of choking the life out of them. Those thoughts became so overwhelming, Joel finally gave up on academics in 1984 when he was 25. He ended up back in Long Island with his parents, working odd jobs to support his secret addiction.

Over the course of several years, he was in and out of college. It never stuck, though. He couldn't break his addiction to hiring sex workers or the fantasy of choking the life out of them. Those thoughts became so overwhelming, Joel finally gave up on academics in 1984 when he was 25. He ended up back in Long Island with his parents, working odd jobs to support his secret addiction.

Then in 1986, when Joel was 27, things got even worse. That year, Joel's adoptive father, Bernard, was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Despite their strained relationship, Joel still really cared about his dad, and the experience was extremely hard on him. Joel later said his father's struggle with the disease was tough to watch.

Then in 1986, when Joel was 27, things got even worse. That year, Joel's adoptive father, Bernard, was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Despite their strained relationship, Joel still really cared about his dad, and the experience was extremely hard on him. Joel later said his father's struggle with the disease was tough to watch.

Then in 1986, when Joel was 27, things got even worse. That year, Joel's adoptive father, Bernard, was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Despite their strained relationship, Joel still really cared about his dad, and the experience was extremely hard on him. Joel later said his father's struggle with the disease was tough to watch.

During this emotional time, Joel said his father would hug his mother and sister, but not him, because according to Joel, he was still a disappointment. Even so, Joel remained by Bernard's side as his father's health deteriorated. By early 1987, Bernard couldn't bear the pain anymore. He overdosed on barbiturates and died.

During this emotional time, Joel said his father would hug his mother and sister, but not him, because according to Joel, he was still a disappointment. Even so, Joel remained by Bernard's side as his father's health deteriorated. By early 1987, Bernard couldn't bear the pain anymore. He overdosed on barbiturates and died.

During this emotional time, Joel said his father would hug his mother and sister, but not him, because according to Joel, he was still a disappointment. Even so, Joel remained by Bernard's side as his father's health deteriorated. By early 1987, Bernard couldn't bear the pain anymore. He overdosed on barbiturates and died.

At the funeral, Joel gave a eulogy that reportedly brought the mourners to tears. In a poignant moment, he said, quote, "'Though my father did not give me life, he gave me love.'"