Dateline: What happened to Theresa Insana? Harrowing details of the 2004 murder, revisited 

Theresa Insana didn’t show up for work for two days, and her coworkers grew concerned. Her boss alerted security, and Jeff Fenton, along with another colleague, went to check her home. They found Theresa’s dog alone, and signs suggested something was wrong. The police were called, and a search for Theresa began.

Theresa Insana was a driven, young woman from Niagara Falls, New York. She moved to Las Vegas in hopes of starting a new chapter in her life and quickly found success working at the Rio Hotel & Casino. By 2004, she had worked her way up to a management position. Her life seemed to be on track.

Her sister, Maribeth, described her as someone who truly lived by the phrase “Carpe diem,” which means “seize the day.” Theresa Insana was known for being close to her family and loyal to her friends. One of her closest friendships was with Grace Carducci, a bond that had lasted since their teenage years.

In 2002, Theresa began dating a coworker, Jeff Fenton. Their romance moved fast, and they became engaged just three months into the relationship. They had planned to marry in April 2004, but things took a turn when Jeff called off the wedding in March, saying he wasn’t ready. Heartbroken but resilient, Theresa tried to move on.

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What happened to Theresa Insana?

In May 2004, Theresa Insana confided in Grace that odd things were happening. She would return home to find her TV on a different channel, leading her to suspect that someone had been in her house. Despite her growing unease, she continued with her regular routine of work, walking her dog, and spending time at home.

On October 26, 2004, Theresa left work early to vote. She came home, walked her dog, had dinner, and called her mother. She also left a voicemail for Grace, but when Grace called back an hour later, Theresa didn’t answer. That was the last known contact anyone had with her.

On November 1, 2004, Theresa’s body was found in a culvert on Hualapai Road, an area under construction at the time. She had been strangled and suffered blunt force trauma. Her body was wrapped in a carpet, and the case was immediately treated as a homicide.

Detectives collected critical DNA evidence at the scene, including blood from an unknown male found in Theresa’s bathroom and on her clothing. The police interviewed those closest to her, including Jeff Fenton and his new girlfriend, Melissa Ball. They both had alibis, claiming they had been car shopping at the time of Theresa’s disappearance. The dealership confirmed their story.

Despite the evidence, investigators struggled to find leads. As the years passed, Theresa Insana’s case went cold, and no arrests were made.

In 2017, investigators tried a new approach. Using DNA phenotyping, a sketch of the potential suspect was created. The sketch suggested the suspect could be of Filipino descent. However, progress was slow because Asian populations are underrepresented in many genealogical DNA databases.

Detectives have continued to run the DNA through various databases, hoping for a match. Despite the challenges, Theresa’s family and friends remain hopeful that new advancements in DNA technology will eventually uncover the truth.

Theresa Insana’s sister, Maribeth, and her best friend, Grace, have never stopped fighting for justice. They believe someone out there knows something about Theresa’s murder. They remain determined to find answers, no matter how long it takes.

Even 20 years after her death, Theresa’s loved ones still honor her memory and continue seeking justice. Grace summed it up best when she said,

“No matter how long it takes, we’ll never stop believing that Tree will have justice.”

On June 11, 2024, NBC’s Dateline revisited Theresa Insana’s story. The episode shed light on her life, the investigation, and the unanswered questions surrounding her tragic murder.

Although Theresa Insana’s case remains unsolved, advancements in DNA technology and continued public attention give hope that the person responsible will one day be held accountable. Theresa’s family and friends will not stop until they have justice.

Stay tuned with Soap Central for more updates!