Vanessa Richardson

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.'"

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.'"

Even though Joel was still grieving, Bernard's death seemed to take some weight off Joel's shoulders. And for a brief time after his father's passing, Joel's life took a turn for the better. He'd always enjoyed gardening, and in 1988, he started taking horticulture classes at the New York State College of Technology. For the first time, Joel managed to succeed at something.

Even though Joel was still grieving, Bernard's death seemed to take some weight off Joel's shoulders. And for a brief time after his father's passing, Joel's life took a turn for the better. He'd always enjoyed gardening, and in 1988, he started taking horticulture classes at the New York State College of Technology. For the first time, Joel managed to succeed at something.

Even though Joel was still grieving, Bernard's death seemed to take some weight off Joel's shoulders. And for a brief time after his father's passing, Joel's life took a turn for the better. He'd always enjoyed gardening, and in 1988, he started taking horticulture classes at the New York State College of Technology. For the first time, Joel managed to succeed at something.

The 29-year-old got straight A's in his first year of the program and landed an internship at a local arboretum in early 1989. During his time there, he developed a crush on one of his fellow interns. Unfortunately for him, she didn't feel the same way. And with that, all the emotional progress Joel had made over the past year vanished. Joel felt ashamed, humiliated and most of all angry.

The 29-year-old got straight A's in his first year of the program and landed an internship at a local arboretum in early 1989. During his time there, he developed a crush on one of his fellow interns. Unfortunately for him, she didn't feel the same way. And with that, all the emotional progress Joel had made over the past year vanished. Joel felt ashamed, humiliated and most of all angry.

The 29-year-old got straight A's in his first year of the program and landed an internship at a local arboretum in early 1989. During his time there, he developed a crush on one of his fellow interns. Unfortunately for him, she didn't feel the same way. And with that, all the emotional progress Joel had made over the past year vanished. Joel felt ashamed, humiliated and most of all angry.

And this time he decided to do something about it.

And this time he decided to do something about it.

And this time he decided to do something about it.

In early 1989, 30-year-old Joel Rifkin seemed to be finally making some progress in his career and his love life. He got an internship at an arboretum near his home on Long Island and even tried to make a romantic connection with a fellow intern. But when she didn't reciprocate his feelings, he started to spiral.

In early 1989, 30-year-old Joel Rifkin seemed to be finally making some progress in his career and his love life. He got an internship at an arboretum near his home on Long Island and even tried to make a romantic connection with a fellow intern. But when she didn't reciprocate his feelings, he started to spiral.

In early 1989, 30-year-old Joel Rifkin seemed to be finally making some progress in his career and his love life. He got an internship at an arboretum near his home on Long Island and even tried to make a romantic connection with a fellow intern. But when she didn't reciprocate his feelings, he started to spiral.

All of a sudden, the pain, resentment, and shame he'd felt throughout his life came rushing back. Joel couldn't handle it. He needed to take his frustrations out on something. On February 20th, 1989, Joel's mom was out of town. He used the opportunity to drive into New York City like he'd done countless times before.

All of a sudden, the pain, resentment, and shame he'd felt throughout his life came rushing back. Joel couldn't handle it. He needed to take his frustrations out on something. On February 20th, 1989, Joel's mom was out of town. He used the opportunity to drive into New York City like he'd done countless times before.

All of a sudden, the pain, resentment, and shame he'd felt throughout his life came rushing back. Joel couldn't handle it. He needed to take his frustrations out on something. On February 20th, 1989, Joel's mom was out of town. He used the opportunity to drive into New York City like he'd done countless times before.

He picked up a sex worker who called herself Susie and brought her back to his family's house on Long Island. After Joel and Susie had sex, she asked if they could go out and get some drugs, but Joel had no intention of letting her leave. Instead, he grabbed a heavy metal artillery shell he'd gotten from a flea market and started beating her with it.

He picked up a sex worker who called herself Susie and brought her back to his family's house on Long Island. After Joel and Susie had sex, she asked if they could go out and get some drugs, but Joel had no intention of letting her leave. Instead, he grabbed a heavy metal artillery shell he'd gotten from a flea market and started beating her with it.

He picked up a sex worker who called herself Susie and brought her back to his family's house on Long Island. After Joel and Susie had sex, she asked if they could go out and get some drugs, but Joel had no intention of letting her leave. Instead, he grabbed a heavy metal artillery shell he'd gotten from a flea market and started beating her with it.