Theresa Feury was a bright and cheerful girl who loved music, dancing, and animals. She was born in 1970 in the United States of America and had a happy childhood with her family and friends. She was only 13 years old when she met a cruel fate at the hands of Marie Moore, a woman who tortured and killed her in a house of horrors.
Theresa Feury Wiki/Bio, Ethnicity
| Full Name | Theresa Feury |
| Date of Birth | 15 Jul 1969 |
| Date of Death | Jan 1983 (aged 13) |
| Age at Death | 13 |
| Birth Place | USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Religion | Christian |
| Ethnicity | American White |
| Profession | Student |
| Cause of Death | Starvation, dehydration, and infection |
| Murderer | Marie Moore |
| Conviction | Aggravated manslaughter and kidnapping |
| Sentence | 30 years in prison |
| Links | Instagram- Not Available Homepage- WikiBioStar |
Family, Birthdate
Theresa Feury was born on 15 Jul 1969 (age: 13 years, when died) in the United States of America. She was a bright and cheerful girl who loved music, dancing, and animals. She had a happy childhood with her family and friends. She was only 13 years old when she met a cruel fate at the hands of Marie Moore, a woman who tortured and killed her in a house of horrors.
Theresa started visiting the Moore household in Paterson, New Jersey, in the summer of 1981, along with her friends Ricky Flores and Luis Mantalvo, who were also 13 years old. They befriended Marie Moore, a 35-year-old woman who lived with her daughter Tammy Moore, Tammy’s friend Harriet Bayne, and Mary Gardullo, a 50-year-old friend of Marie’s. The children liked Marie and called her “Ma”. They enjoyed spending time with her, playing games, watching TV, and listening to stories.
How She Became a Prisoner of Marie Moore?
In the summer of 1981, Theresa Feury started visiting the Moore household in Paterson, New Jersey, along with her friends Ricky Flores and Luis Mantalvo, who were also 13 years old. They befriended Marie Moore, a 35-year-old woman who lived with her daughter Tammy Moore, Tammy’s friend Harriet Bayne, and Mary Gardullo, a 50-year-old friend of Marie’s. The children liked Marie and called her “Ma”. They enjoyed spending time with her, playing games, watching TV, and listening to stories.
However, things changed drastically in September 1981, when Marie began to tell the children that her former husband was Billy Joel, the famous singer and that he was involved with the mafia. She claimed that Billy was sending her instructions for the children’s behavior through phone calls, letters, and visits. She said that Billy was very strict and powerful and that he could hurt their families if they disobeyed him. She also said that Billy had a drug problem and that he needed their help to overcome it.
Marie assigned Ricky the role of overseeing the household discipline and told him to punish the other children for any perceived failures in following Billy’s orders. Ricky, who was manipulated by Marie and believed in Billy’s existence, complied with her demands. He began to beat Harriet, Theresa, and Luis regularly, using belts, sticks, and wires. Marie also joined in the abuse, sometimes pretending to be Billy herself. She also hit Ricky and herself, claiming that it was Billy’s will.
The children were terrified and confused by Marie’s lies and threats. They felt trapped and helpless in the house, unable to escape or seek help. They were isolated from their families and friends, and deprived of food, water, and medical care. They suffered physical, emotional, and psychological trauma at the hands of Marie and Ricky.
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How She Died at the Hands of Marie Moore?
The abuse continued for over two years, until November 1983, when Harriet managed to escape from the house and report the situation to the police. She was admitted to a diagnostic center, where she revealed the details of the torture she and the other children had endured. The police launched an investigation and raided the Moore household. They found Theresa Feury’s body hidden in a closet, wrapped in a blanket. She had been dead for several months, and her body was decomposed and infested with maggots. She had died from a combination of starvation, dehydration, and infection. She had also suffered multiple injuries, including broken bones, burns, bruises, and cuts.
The police also found Ricky, Luis, Tammy, and Mary in the house, all in poor physical and mental condition. They arrested Marie and charged her with first-degree murder, kidnapping, and torture. Ricky was also arrested and charged as an accomplice. Tammy, Luis, and Mary were taken to hospitals for treatment and counseling.
How Marie Moore Was Convicted and Sentenced for Theresa Feury’s Murder?
Marie Moore’s trial began in June 1984 and lasted for six weeks. The prosecution presented evidence and testimonies that showed the extent of Marie’s cruelty and deception. They played tapes of Marie’s phone calls with Billy, which were recordings of her voice. They showed photos of Theresa’s body and the house where the abuse took place. They called Harriet, Ricky, Luis, Tammy, and Mary as witnesses, who recounted their horrific experiences and confirmed Marie’s role in the torture and murder.
The defense tried to argue that Marie was mentally ill and delusional and that she believed in Billy’s existence and instructions. They claimed that she was a victim of Billy’s abuse and manipulation and that she was trying to protect the children from him. They also tried to shift the blame to Ricky, who they said was the main perpetrator of the violence.
The jury deliberated for four hours, and found Marie guilty of all charges. They also recommended the death penalty for her, making her the first woman to receive the death sentence in New Jersey. The judge agreed with the jury’s verdict and sentenced Marie to death by lethal injection in November 1984. Ricky was also convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment.
How Marie Moore’s Conviction and Sentence Were Overturned
Marie Moore appealed her conviction and sentence, claiming that she had received ineffective assistance of counsel, that the evidence was insufficient, and that the jury was biased. She also challenged the constitutionality of the death penalty in New Jersey. Her appeal was denied by the state Supreme Court in 1986, but she continued to seek relief in federal courts.
In 1988, a federal judge overturned Marie’s conviction and sentence, ruling that her trial counsel had failed to present adequate evidence of her mental illness and her history of abuse by her ex-husband. The judge also found that the prosecution had withheld evidence that could have supported Marie’s insanity defense. The judge ordered a new trial for Marie, and granted her a stay of execution.
The prosecution appealed the judge’s decision, and the case reached the U.S. Supreme Court in 1990. The Supreme Court upheld the judge’s ruling and affirmed that Marie was entitled to a new trial. However, the prosecution decided not to retry Marie, and instead offered her a plea deal. In 1991, Marie pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter and kidnapping and was sentenced to 30 years in prison, with the possibility of parole after 15 years.
How Theresa Feury’s Memory Lives On?
Theresa Feury’s death shocked and saddened the nation, and raised awareness about the issue of child abuse and neglect. Her story inspired several books, documentaries, and TV shows, such as ‘Evil Lives Here: Trapped in a House of Torture’, which aired on Investigation Discovery in 2023. Her story also motivated several people to advocate for the rights and protection of children and to support the victims and survivors of abuse.
Feury’s family and friends mourned her loss and honored her memory. They remembered her as a sweet and smart girl who had a bright future ahead of her. They also forgave Marie and Ricky for their actions and prayed for their healing and redemption. They hoped that Theresa’s story would prevent other children from suffering the same fate and that justice would be served for her.
Theresa Feury’s life was cut short by a senseless and evil act, but her spirit lives on in the hearts and minds of those who knew and loved her. She was a victim of a house of torture, but she was also a survivor of a house of love.
