Murder of Alexandra Zapp
Murder of a woman in a Burger King restroom by a repeat sex offender.
Alexandra Nicole Zapp was murdered in the women's room of a Burger King rest stop in Bridgewater, Massachusetts on July 18, 2002. Section 121 of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act is named after her and Megan Nicole Kanka. Massachusetts' Sexually Dangerous Persons Law is informally called the 'Ally Zapp' Law.
Quick Facts
- Born
- 24 August 1971
- Birthplace
- Portland, Oregon, U.S.
- Died
- 18 July 2002
- Place of death
- Bridgewater, Massachusetts, U.S.
- Cause of death
- Homicide
- Education
- University of Oregon
- Known for
- Murder victim
Facts from the source article.
Background
She attended Miss Porter's boarding school in Connecticut, then the University of Oregon for two years. She moved to Boston for an editing position, volunteering for The French Library, The Boston Ballet and Courageous Sailing Center. In November 2001 she moved to Newport, Rhode Island to work for US Sailing, planning to relocate to New Zealand.
Murder
Zapp stopped at a rest area on Massachusetts Route 24 in Bridgewater around midnight while driving home from a Boston charity event. Burger King employee Paul Leahy watched and waited; when Zapp opened the restroom door, he stood in the doorway with a knife and shoved her inside. She pleaded and fought as he stabbed her six times in the chest, also inflicting defensive wounds. Off-duty state police lieutenant Stephen O'Reilly heard screaming, saw blood, and found Leahy standing by the sink covered in blood.
Trial
Leahy was charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping, armed robbery, and armed assault with intent to rob. Prosecutor Frank Middleton cited overwhelming evidence, including testimony from Lieutenant O'Reilly and Leahy's confession that he intentionally stabbed Zapp. Leahy initially said he stabbed her twice in the arm but admitted to chest stabbings when confronted with autopsy results. His criminal history included sexual offenses dating to 1984, with victims as young as 13. Defense lawyer Frank Spillane argued the death was not intentional murder, claiming Leahy was deciding whether to rob Zapp and the struggle erupted spontaneously. On September 24, 2003, Leahy was found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to life without parole.
Legacy
Zapp's mother and stepfather, Andrea Casanova and Steven Stiles, founded The ALLY Foundation in Boston in November 2002. The organization works to prevent violent sex offenses, educate the public, and advocate for policy changes in sex offender management. The ALLY Foundation holds fundraising events including the Sail for a Change Flip Flop Regatta, Run for a Change, Ride for a Change, Faces for a Change, and Newport for a Change.
More in Attacks on Restaurants in the United States
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