A Connecticut man accused in his wife’s murder might have gotten away with it — if not for the victim’s Fitbit fitness tracker and other electronic devices, authorities allege.
Richard Dabate, 40, was charged this month with felony murder, tampering with physical evidence and making false statements following his wife Connie’s December 2015 death at their home in Ellington, Tolland County.
Dabate called 911 reporting that his wife was the victim of a home invasion, alleging that she was shot dead by a “tall, obese man” with a deep voice like actor Vin Diesel’s, sporting “camouflage and a mask,” according to an arrest warrant.
Dabate alleged her death took place more than an hour before her Fitbit-tracked movements revealed. CCTV footage also showed her visiting a local gym the morning she died.
Investigators uncovered text messages between the couple, as well as the suspect and his reported pregnant mistress — thought to be a main motive behind the suspected domestic homicide.
One year before the murder, Dabate texted his wife saying, “I want a divorce,” around the time bank statement records obtained by the Hartford Courant showed credit card charges from hotels, strip clubs and floral purchases for his girlfriend.
Text messages between Dabate and the unidentified woman obtained by the Hartford Courant read things like, “I’m ready for u big boy.”
Connie was discovered inside the home with gunshot wounds from a Magnum .357, a gun Dabate purchased months prior.
Dabate was found by police tied to a chair in the kitchen in the incident, when he claimed to have scared off the masked killer after his wife was shot dead.
State police used an analysis of the home’s “alarm system, computers, cellphones, social media postings and Connie Dabate’s Fitbit to create a timeline that contradicted Richard Dabate’s statements to police,” the warrant cited.
Lancaster, Pa., district attorney Craig Stedman, who used Fitbit records in a separate investigation, called the records “a great tool for investigators” in an interview with the Hartford Courant. The devices monitor a wearer’s heart rate, steps and other vital health stats.
Mourning family members expressed relief that an arrest was made in Connie Dabate’s death after 16 months of waiting.
“I was very happy to hear this news earlier today and am looking forward to getting justice for my cousin,” Danielle Iammatteo told the Courant.
Dabate, who is currently out of custody after posting bail, is scheduled to return to court Friday.
