For 50 years, Theresa Dusevitch’s case was intrinsically tied to Debra Espey’s murder. Both women were 19 years old when they were killed back in 1973, just eight months apart. There were other similarities, too: Both women were found nude from the waist down, their shirts pulled up, hands over their heads, with head wounds as their cause of death. The wooded area where each young woman was found was just three miles apart in and near a town, ironically enough, named Niceville, Florida. But at the end of 2025, Debra Epsey’s case was solved, and her killer turned out to be an acquaintance of hers, Dennis Murphy. In learning that Dennis killed Debra, law enforcement was able to conclude through DNA that he did not kill Theresa–meaning all the connections that seemed to be linked were just a coincidence. So now, detectives are looking at Theresa’s case with new eyes. And with the momentum of one 1973 cold case solved under their belt, they’re hoping you might help them get another.
Episode Info
If you know anything about the murder of Theresa Dusevitch on November 23, 1973, please call the Emerald Coast Crime Stoppers at 850-836-TIPS (8477) or submit an anonymous tip at emeraldcoastcrimestoppers.com.
A photo of the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Headquarters, where our reporting interview took place. Photo taken by Audiochuck staff.
A photo of where Theresa lived with her mother. Photo taken by Audiochuck staff.
Theresa’s body was found off a deserted access road leading to this country club, northeast of Niceville, FL, shortly after 1pm. Photo taken by Audiochuck staff.
A photo of the Poquito Bayou area, where the 15-year-old girl was shot with the same gun found in Theresa’s case. Photo taken by Audiochuck staff.
A photo of the still-standing Matador Club, where Theresa was last seen. Photo taken by Audiochuck staff.
A photo taken in the parking lot of the still-standing Matador Club, where Theresa was last seen. Photo taken by Audiochuck staff.
Theresa Dusevitch. Credit: Dusevitch Family Photo
Theresa’s Grave. Credit: Find a Grave
Episode Source Material
Original reporting by Annie Roderique-Jones
- Playground Daily News (Fort Walton Beach, FL): Valparaiso Girl Found Dead on Country Road by Emma Goggin via Newspapers.com.
- Pensacola News Journal (Pensacola, FL): Body Discovered Near Road by Bill Tennis via Newspapers.com.
- Playground Daily News (Fort Walton Beach, FL): Autopsy Finds Gunshot Wound In Val-p Girl via Newspapers.com.
- Pensacola News Journal (Pensacola, FL): Officials Seek Murder Suspect by Bill Tennis via Newspapers.com.
- Playground Daily News (Fort Walton Beach, FL): Lawmen Admit Mistake on Ballistics Test by Cathy Blum via Newspapers.com.
