A western New York man has been charged with murders of two women, decades apart, whose remains were found on a Buffalo hiking trail.

A hiker found a human skull on the Chautauqua Rails to Trails on September 26, 2021, according to the Erie County District Attorney’s Office. The skull was later identified as Cassandra Watson, who investigators believe was killed in 2003 or 2004.

The day after the skull was found, the body of Marquita Mull, 50, was found near the same trail. While Watson had not been reported missing, Mull was reported missing by her family. Investigators say that Mull was killed in late June of that year.

Richard Fox, 62, has now been charged with both murders.

Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane said in a statement that Fox and Watson had apparently been in a relationship at the time of her disappearance although Watson, said to be about 40 when she died, was never reported missing.

Keane said at a news conference that there was no apparent relationship between Fox and Mull, Law&Crime reported. The DA said Mull was seen getting into a vehicle with Fox on the last day she was seen. Both women were strangled.

Keane also said that Fox grew up in the area and knew it well.

Fox was arrested in January and arraigned on Thursday, also facing a charge of failing to register as a sex offender. He is due back in court in April, and his trial is set to begin in October.

Fox is being held without bail.

For the latest true crime and justice news, subscribe to the ‘Crime Stories with Nancy Grace’ podcast.

[Featured image: Cassandra Watson/family handout; Richard Fox/New York State Sex Offender Registry; and Marquita Mull/Erie County District Attorney’s Office]