Vanessa Richardson

She moved to New York to try to break into acting, but things didn't work out. Mary Catherine ended up down on her luck, separated from her husband, and addicted to crack cocaine. She eventually turned to sex work, which is how she crossed paths with Joel Rifkin. He hired her on a couple of occasions and everything had gone fine.

She moved to New York to try to break into acting, but things didn't work out. Mary Catherine ended up down on her luck, separated from her husband, and addicted to crack cocaine. She eventually turned to sex work, which is how she crossed paths with Joel Rifkin. He hired her on a couple of occasions and everything had gone fine.

She moved to New York to try to break into acting, but things didn't work out. Mary Catherine ended up down on her luck, separated from her husband, and addicted to crack cocaine. She eventually turned to sex work, which is how she crossed paths with Joel Rifkin. He hired her on a couple of occasions and everything had gone fine.

So when he hired her again on October 2nd, 1992, Mary Catherine didn't think anything was amiss. Joel bought her some drugs and she trusted him enough to fall asleep in his car. And that's when he attacked. Like all his other victims, Joel strangled Mary Catherine to death. After the long break between murders, it seems like Joel couldn't help himself any longer.

So when he hired her again on October 2nd, 1992, Mary Catherine didn't think anything was amiss. Joel bought her some drugs and she trusted him enough to fall asleep in his car. And that's when he attacked. Like all his other victims, Joel strangled Mary Catherine to death. After the long break between murders, it seems like Joel couldn't help himself any longer.

So when he hired her again on October 2nd, 1992, Mary Catherine didn't think anything was amiss. Joel bought her some drugs and she trusted him enough to fall asleep in his car. And that's when he attacked. Like all his other victims, Joel strangled Mary Catherine to death. After the long break between murders, it seems like Joel couldn't help himself any longer.

After killing Mary Catherine, he only waited about a month and a half before seeking out his 14th victim, 23-year-old Jenny Soto. On November 16, 1992, Joel picked Jenny up in Manhattan near the Williamsburg Bridge. After having sex with her in his pickup truck, Joel began to strangle her. But Jenny fought back, hard.

After killing Mary Catherine, he only waited about a month and a half before seeking out his 14th victim, 23-year-old Jenny Soto. On November 16, 1992, Joel picked Jenny up in Manhattan near the Williamsburg Bridge. After having sex with her in his pickup truck, Joel began to strangle her. But Jenny fought back, hard.

After killing Mary Catherine, he only waited about a month and a half before seeking out his 14th victim, 23-year-old Jenny Soto. On November 16, 1992, Joel picked Jenny up in Manhattan near the Williamsburg Bridge. After having sex with her in his pickup truck, Joel began to strangle her. But Jenny fought back, hard.

The struggle was so intense, she broke every single one of her false nails and left deep scratches all over Joel's body before he eventually overpowered her. The experience left Joel feeling shaken up. Plenty of his victims had resisted him before, but Jenny was the first to leave a mark.

The struggle was so intense, she broke every single one of her false nails and left deep scratches all over Joel's body before he eventually overpowered her. The experience left Joel feeling shaken up. Plenty of his victims had resisted him before, but Jenny was the first to leave a mark.

The struggle was so intense, she broke every single one of her false nails and left deep scratches all over Joel's body before he eventually overpowered her. The experience left Joel feeling shaken up. Plenty of his victims had resisted him before, but Jenny was the first to leave a mark.

Now, he didn't just have to figure out how to get rid of her body, he had to figure out how to explain those scratches, too. He knew that in order to avoid suspicion, he had to take a longer break from killing. But like many people who suffer from addiction, Joel couldn't contain himself. And when he went in search for his next fix, it was deadlier than ever. Thanks so much for listening.

Now, he didn't just have to figure out how to get rid of her body, he had to figure out how to explain those scratches, too. He knew that in order to avoid suspicion, he had to take a longer break from killing. But like many people who suffer from addiction, Joel couldn't contain himself. And when he went in search for his next fix, it was deadlier than ever. Thanks so much for listening.

Now, he didn't just have to figure out how to get rid of her body, he had to figure out how to explain those scratches, too. He knew that in order to avoid suspicion, he had to take a longer break from killing. But like many people who suffer from addiction, Joel couldn't contain himself. And when he went in search for his next fix, it was deadlier than ever. Thanks so much for listening.

We'll be back next time as we discuss Joel Rifkin's last victims and the unlikely event that led to the end of his rampage.

We'll be back next time as we discuss Joel Rifkin's last victims and the unlikely event that led to the end of his rampage.

We'll be back next time as we discuss Joel Rifkin's last victims and the unlikely event that led to the end of his rampage.

And to enhance your listening experience, subscribe to Crime House Plus on Apple Podcasts. You'll get every episode of Mind of a Serial Killer ad-free, along with early access to each thrilling two-part series and exciting bonus content. We'll be back next Monday.

And to enhance your listening experience, subscribe to Crime House Plus on Apple Podcasts. You'll get every episode of Mind of a Serial Killer ad-free, along with early access to each thrilling two-part series and exciting bonus content. We'll be back next Monday.