The Murder of Alexandra ‘Zandra’ Ducsay
This is the sixth and final episode of the American Nightmare series. This episode is titled ‘The Answering Machine.’
The title refers to a short film made by the victim, because she was an actress and to the killer who was close to her.
Background
Zandra
Alexandra Duscay, Zandra as she is referred to, was a 26 year old actress and dancer. At the time of her death, she had taken a sabbatical from her other job in finance to focus on her auditions and acting career.
Zandra was also described as being a hardworking and very giving person. Every year for Christmas she would go shopping and wrap presents and give to charity. Her family said she loved doing it and wanted to help people.
The Murder
On May 19, 2006, a 911 call came into the Milford, Connecticut police. The call was from Linda, Zandra’s mom, she had found her daughter dead in her home. The call is very hard to listen to and so sad, Linda, is wailing and saying “oh my god,” over and over.
The police arrived at Zandra’s house and immediately started walking around to begin their investigation. The house was very clean and organized, and then they got to the finished basement and found a horrible scene.
Zandra was found laying on the floor. She had been beaten and stabbed. There was blood stains on the carpet and walls. The police also found a dark mark under her chin, and a piece of plastic from a trophy. Zandra had a table full of her dance trophies and one of them was missing, and was discovered to be one of the murder weapons.
There was another murder weapon found, the blade of a kitchen knife was also found next to the body. There was also evidence that there was a struggle, a chair was knocked over and Zandra’s mouth was duct tapped. Her cause of death would later be determined as blunt force trauma.
The police believed that the killer most likely had left the scene covered in blood or had brought a change of clothes with them, because the scene was very messy. The police tested the basement for DNA, skin cells and hair.
Investigation
Zandra’s case was immediately broadcasted to the news and media. The police continued their investigation and wanted to interview people in the neighborhood.
There were a few witnesses who said they had seen a few different cars at Zandra’s house. One reported seeing a red pickup truck around 12:30pm and one saw a Honda around 4pm, driven by a black male.
The police also interviewed Zandra’s closest friend, Nicole, who saw Zandra the morning of the murder. Nicole said they went to the gym and that Zandra had a date with ‘Jay’ that night. Nicole didn’t know Jay’s last name or if it was his real name.
The police eventually found out Jay’s real name was Jason Malone. They had gotten the information from the woman who did Zandra’s hair. Jason and Zandra had been dating for a few weeks and had met at Zandra’s job at a local bank.
Jason also drove a Honda Accord, which matched the witness’ description. He was brought in for questioning. Jason said he and Zandra were on the phone that afternoon and were planning their date for that night. Jason said Zandra had gotten off the phone abruptly and had said “what are you doing here?” Zandra told Jason her ex-boyfriend was there, and told him she’d call him later.
Zandra called him back about thirty minutes after, just before 1pm. Jason said he didn’t hear from her after that, and after he went shopping for their date, he went by her house and the crime scene tape was already up. The police predicted the time of death was between 1-4:30pm. Jason was let go, but not yet cleared.
Another Suspect
The next person the police wanted to talk to was the one person closest to Zandra, her mom, Linda. They wanted to ask Linda who else would hurt Zandra. Linda gave them one name: Matthew Pugh, Zandra’s ex-boyfriend.
Zandra and Matthew had dated in high school, and had been in contact for years after. Matthew had gone to prison for 6 years for narcotics, and Zandra had visited him and they wrote letters back and fourth. Linda said the letters stopped after some of them became violent and harassing. The Ducsay family reported the letters to the prison where Matthew was, until they stopped.
On May 24, Matthew is brought in for questioning. Matthew said he and Zandra were still friends, even though his wife didn’t know they were in contact. The police asked him where he was on May 19th, and Matthew said he was at work until he had to pick up his step-daughter who was sick. He said he was home with her until 3:30pm and then went to the bank. Matthew was let go, and the police wanted to check his alibi.
Surveillance Footage
The Milford police still had two suspects and wanted to check on both of their alibis.
First, the police went to the clothing store that Jason said he was at. There was a video shown of Jason shopping at the time of the murder. The police also obtained Zandra’s phone records, and Jason last spoke to her at 12:30pm.
Jason was immediately cleared.
The police then moved on to Matthew. While the police went to the bank to check the surveillance footage, Matthew’s car and house were searched. Matthew was in fact at the bank like he said he was. There was also no blood found in his car or house, the only thing found was some wadded up tape found in the garbage can.
Matthew’s wife also confirmed his alibi. The police were stumped as they weren’t much closer to finding out who killed Zandra.
A Tip
In January 2012, six years after Zandra was killed, a witness came forward. The witness was a man named Anthony, who was a cousin of Matthew Pugh. Anthony said Matthew told him he had a plan to kill Zandra, and to get the products he would need for it from his work.
Anthony said Matthew had a plan to wear two of everything, so he wouldn’t leave evidence behind. Matthew had clothes, booties and duct tape that he brought to the crime scene. The duct tape was a special kind of duct tape that was used by aircraft mechanics. The duct tape was found to be a match to the tape found in Matthew’s garbage can.
Arrest and Conviction
In September 2012, Matthew Pugh was arrested for the murder of Zandra, as well as being charged with robbery.
At his trial, he maintained his innocence. Anthony was the star witness. He testified to things that the police said no one but the killer should know. Anthony said Matthew was obsessed with killing Zandra and wanted payback for getting him in trouble for the threatening letters. Matthew had served extra time for when he was in prison for narcotics, due to the complaint against him by Zandra’s family.
On May 11, 2015, Matthew was convicted and sentenced to 60 years for murder, plus 20 years for robbery.
After Matthew was sentenced, Zandra’s brother Matt said:
“Matthew Pugh is going to be forgotten,” “but my sister’s memory will live on.”
Matthew Pugh
Another picture of Zandra
FINAL THOUGHTS
I only have one question, why wasn’t that tape tested when it was first found? Unless it was, and there wasn’t any DNA found on it. It wasn’t said in the episode if the tape was tested, but it must have been collected.
I feel so bad for Zandra’s family that they had to wait nine years for justice. They knew all along that Matthew killed Zandra. Matthew is a piece of shit and deserves to be in prison for LIFE. I’m sure it was hard for Anthony to turn on his cousin, but he truly did the right thing. If he hadn’t come forward, a monster would still be out on the street.
Sources
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/alexandra-ducsay-murder-matthew-pugh_n_1861241
