Unsolved Mystery: Bergen County Women Were Killed 5 Miles Apart. EnhancedPhotos Give Clues

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — Dolores Alliotts and Joan Davis were killed five miles apart from each other in Bergen County towns in 2011. Five years ago, prosecutors released video of a person of interest — and newly enhanced photos may help elicit the tip needed to catch the killer.

"Following the homicide, the suspect lit a fire inside of the residence in an attempt to cover up the crime scene," said the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office in a release about the Alliotts killing, which occurred in Palisades Park in April of 2021.

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The same modus operandi was used on Aug. 17 of that year, when Davis was killed in Teaneck.

Sixteen years after their deaths, prosecutors are still seeking information from the public.

Five years ago, prosecutors posted information and a video about the case.

This week, officials provided Patch with enhanced images that show a person of interest in the case.

Last year, prosecutor's Chief of Detectives Jeff Angermeyer told Patch, "It is never too late to do the right thing and help us deliver the justice these families so desperately deserve."

55 Stab Wounds

Palisade Park police responded shortly after 2:30 a.m. on April 28, 2010, to 261 12th Street on the report of a house fire. They found Dolores Alliotts, 69, dead with blunt injuries to her head and 55 stab wounds.

"Alliotts was the victim of a cold blooded murder," prosecutors said.

Someone lit a fire after killing her, prosecutors say.

Around four months later, five miles away, Teaneck police headed to 976 Alpine Drive just before 11 p.m. on a report of a house fire.

They found Joan Davis, 74, the victim of blunt force injuries and "multiple" stab wounds. She was bound by her hands and feet, police said.

Based on surveillance video and evidence left at the scene, detectives determined that her killer was one man. They said he wore a size 9-10 shoe and was likely under 160 pounds.

Dolores And Joan

According to Dolores Alliotts' obituary, she was a lifelong Palisades Park resident who had no children, but did have two brothers and several nieces and nephews.

Alliott lived alone in her home in Palisades Park, said a story on CBS News in 2013. The story was published after her family offered a $25,000 reward for information leading to a suspect.

"Investigators believe the killer may have been a young adult who had previous interactions with Alliotts," the story said.

Joan Davis of Teaneck also lived alone, but she had a sister and five niece and nephews.

Politically Minded 'Pacifist'

Her obituary said she has kept busy. After graduating from Albertus Magnus College in Connecticut in 1958, she "was briefly employed with the U.S. Agency for International Development, was a freelance writer, a local political activist and a concerned citizen of Teaneck."

"I was shocked and saddened to read the article in the New York Times about the brutal murder of Joan Curello Davis," wrote a friend, on her memoiral tribute wall. "She was an old friend of mine when we both worked at the American Embassy in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1967-68. She was very intelligent, attractive and loved life … She was a pacifist and wouldn't hurt a flea."

The friend added, "In the 1970s, she developed problems, quit her job and sadly disappeared from Washington life."

A nephew told CBS News that his aunt had become a bit "paranoid" and could be a gadfly in town, but he had fond memories of her.

Local politicians interviewed by the New York Times had fond memories as well, saying she attended nearly every town meeting to hold people accountable, but was "harmless."

Reports say officials don't believe Davis was targeted for her views. But they do believe the women's killings were related. One story quoted a detective as saying that the perpetrator possible had a fetish for older women. Little was taken from the homes.

Videos Released Later

Five years ago, detectives released the surveillance video that showed someone walking toward Davis' house with a "satchel-style backpack." The person left the area nearly two hours later, walking past firetrucks.

Homicide Detective Matthew Zablocki described the bag as a "satchel-style backpack.

The video, made by the Cold Case Task Force, shows both victims' burned houses and discusses the cases in an attempt to find out more information. There's also a form to provide tips, which can be found here.

Lingering Questions

Many questions remain. How would someone have gotten to know both women, who lived in different towns? Is the person still out there? Does he have other victims?

Detectives have said in news reports that both women had battled mental health issues, and both liked to sit outside their homes. But they couldn't find other connections.

Anyone with information can leave tips here.