***Warning: Some readers may find details of the case included below disturbing.
On the morning of her 69th birthday, Debra Fox met a tragic end, victimized by individuals she once trusted.
Sarai Doyle and Desiree Linnette were charged with criminal homicide after a series of abuses and the eventual murder of Fox, whose Social Security benefits they exploited, according to arrest affidavits.
“Deb had to go,” Doyle recounted, referencing her mother Linnette’s instructions to police.
The affidavits disclosed that after ensuring Fox was dead, Linnette confirmed her death by listening for a heartbeat.
Fearing discovery, the pair wrapped Fox’s body in garbage bags and transported it on a luggage cart to the back of the hotel where they lived, under the cover of snow.
Death penalty a possibility
During a news conference, Luzerne County District Attorney Sam Sanguedolce mentioned that the death penalty is being considered for both women. “It offended the senses of police officers that have seen some pretty horrible things over the course of, you know, 20 or 30 years,” Sanguedolce said, as reported by Fox56 News.
Both Linnette and Doyle face charges of criminal homicide and abuse of a corpse. Linnette also faces theft charges for stealing Fox’s benefits. Preliminary hearings for Doyle and Linnette are set for early February.
One of two murders
The charges related to Fox’s death are the latest in a series of allegations tied to the murder of Nicole Cuevas Ingram, found in a basement in Wilkes-Barre. Doyle, Linnette, and three others are implicated in Ingram’s murder, and they remain in custody without bail.
Fox owned the property at 142 Carlisle St., where Ingram’s body was discovered, but is not believed to have known about the murder. The house was lost in a tax sale in January 2024, coinciding with Fox’s death.
Daughter worried about mom
When authorities located Fox’s daughter, Danielle, she revealed that she had not communicated with her mother since before Thanksgiving 2023. Fox, who had a prosthetic leg, moved to Wilkes-Barre to live with Linnette and Doyle, considering Linnette a “good person.”
Linnette and Doyle resided in room 302 at the Host Inn in Wilkes-Barre, where they were known for causing disturbances.
Accused killer offered excuses
Linnette provided various explanations for Fox’s absence, including claims of her leaving with a truck driver or to be with Linnette’s daughter-in-law. Some heard Linnette say Fox had died in her arms.
Danielle Fox and other acquaintances noted changes in Fox’s appearance and behavior, such as a buzz cut and wearing makeup, both unusual for her. Concerns grew as Linnette began receiving Fox’s Social Security payments.
Lawyering up
Briefly interviewed on March 8, Linnette expressed love for Fox before requesting a lawyer. Doyle, similarly questioned, claimed Fox was in Kentucky, but evidence suggested otherwise, leading Doyle to also seek legal counsel.
Renewed search finds body
On March 26, a tip led police to find Fox’s body in a wooded area behind the Host. An autopsy confirmed her identity, but the advanced decomposition left the cause of death undetermined.
Kids saw the abuse
During the investigation, minors reported witnessing abuse. One saw Linnette strike Fox, while another observed the body being moved on a luggage cart. A child described hearing a loud noise during an attempted shower of Fox, discovering her deceased on the floor. Linnette instructed secrecy to avoid consequences.
Bruises and a blanket
Witnesses recounted Fox with facial bruises and being denied basic necessities like a blanket. Doyle allegedly bragged about hiding a body, distancing herself from her mother’s actions.
Doyle, Linnette fess up
Eventually, both women admitted to the crime, with Doyle describing their joint involvement in Fox’s murder. “Doyle also repeatedly stomped on Debra Fox’s head in her final moments,” the affidavit states.
Investigators noted similarities in the murders of Fox and Ingram, including shaved heads and financial exploitation. A witness recalled Linnette’s claim of newfound faith and transformation.
