Soho writer/artist murdered; mom’s dream led family to the crime scene 🎨

Theresa was last seen on her way to meet her husband at the Puck Building in the Nolita neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City. The stately and historic building occupies the block bordered by Lafayette, Houston, Mulberry and Jersey Streets.

Theresa, who moved to NYC from San Francisco to pursue creative endeavors, had been working that day, Nov 4, 1982. She held a position in the design department of the Metropolitan Museum of Art on the Upper East Side. At only 31 years old, Theresa was already recognized as a performance artist, producer, director, and writer. She was fluent in three languages.

Theresa’s husband, Richard Barnes, a photographer who was documenting the renovation of the Puck Building, had an office there. Richard wasn’t initially concerned that his wife didn’t meet up with him at work, but when she didn’t show up for their planned dinner date, and then never came home that night at all, he became worried. At 3:15 am, Richard went to the police station to report Theresa missing.

That night, at 7:15pm, on Nov 5, 1982, Theresa’s body was discovered in a parking lot on Elizabeth Street in Soho. She had multiple lacerations to the back of her head, her pants and underwear were around her knees, her scarf and belt were both around her neck. Theresa had been raped and strangled. The bludgeoning weapon was probably a bat (turned out, it was a nightstick). Detectives suspected that she had been assaulted elsewhere and her…