Justice for Dorothy "Dottie" Finelli: How a Mother's Love Exposed a Killer

A Community Shattered

Lake Luzerne, NY, is a place where neighbors look out for one another, a small town nestled in the Adirondacks where families build their lives on trust and community. But in October 2002, that trust was shattered when Dorothy “Dottie” Finelli, a beloved mother, church secretary, and devoted fan of the Adirondack IceHawks, suddenly vanished.

For four agonizing days, friends, family, and law enforcement searched for answers. Then, on October 27, their worst fears were confirmed—her lifeless body was found submerged in a pond near Warrensburg, NY, weighted down with a rock. She had been brutally beaten, strangled, and discarded.

The question now: Who could have committed such a horrific act?

A Killer Hiding in Plain Sight

Investigators didn’t have to search far. Their prime suspect was someone Dottie knew all too well—Heath B. Russell, her daughter Vicki Hayes’ ex-boyfriend.

• Motive: Vicki had ended their relationship months prior due to Heath’s history of violence and abuse.

• Last Words: On the day of her murder, Dottie left Vicki a chilling voicemail, warning her that Heath was “off the deep end” and urging her to get a restraining order.

• Threats: Heath had left a dozen angry voicemails for Vicki, including one where he ominously declared, "I'm going to turn your world upside down, girly."

Despite the heartbreak, Vicki took the stand in court, bravely detailing the abuse she endured—including an incident where Heath split her lip open, requiring 15 stitches.

The Evidence That Brought Him Down

While Heath Russell remained tight-lipped, his actions in the days surrounding the murder told a different story:

• Truck near the scene: Witnesses spotted Heath’s pickup truck at Dottie’s home around the time she disappeared.

• Blood evidence: Despite frantically power-washing his truck the next morning, forensic investigators found blood stains inside, as well as traces on his trailer and driveway.

• A weak alibi: Heath claimed he had been picking up lumber at Dottie’s home at 4 p.m., but his timeline didn’t add up. His own friends contradicted his whereabouts.

• The grand larceny charge: On October 27, 2002, the same day Dottie’s body was found, Heath was arrested on an unrelated charge—writing a $3,400 bad check. Within days, forensic evidence tied him to Dottie’s murder, and he was officially charged with second-degree murder.

A Trial Filled With Twists

The case against Heath was strong, but the courtroom battle was anything but simple.

• 2003: Heath was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 25 years to life.

• 2005: His conviction was overturned due to a juror’s bias, leading to a second trial.

• The Defense’s Desperation: His attorneys tried to shift the blame—first to Vicki Hayes (suggesting she stood to gain from her mother’s $300,000 estate), then to her ex-husband, but he had a rock-solid alibi.

After years of fighting for justice, Heath Russell was convicted again in 2005 and sentenced to 25 years to life.

Where Is Heath Russell Now?

As of today, Heath B. Russell remains behind bars at Green Haven Correctional Facility, a maximum-security prison in Stormville, NY.

He is eligible for parole in October 2027, but for many in Hadley, Lake Luzerne, Town of Day, Fourth Lake, Lake Vanare, and Stony Creek, the thought of his release is unimaginable.

A Community That Never Forgets

Dottie Finelli was more than just a victim. She was a mother, a friend, and a pillar of her community.

Her murder left a scar on Hadley-Luzerne, but it also showed the power of resilience. Vicki Hayes, despite enduring unimaginable loss, became an advocate for domestic violence awareness.

As one local resident put it:

"In this town, when something happens to one of us, we don’t forget. We stand together, we seek justice, and we make sure our voices are heard."

For more local news and updates on Hadley-Luzerne, Hadley, Lake Luzerne, Town of Day, and Stony Creek, visit HadleyLuzerne.com