Suvechha Sarkar
The name Buttafuoco first came to the forefront in May 1992 when the then 37-year-old mother, Mary Jo Buttafuoco, was shot in her home in Long Island, New York. After she regained consciousness, she identified the shooter as Amy Fisher, the then-17-year-old lover of her husband, Joey Buttafuoco. The incident later left a grave impact on Mary’s children, Paul and Jessie Buttafuoco. The case is revisited in ABC’s ’20/20: Growing Up Buttafuoco’ and Lifetime’s ‘I Am Mary Jo Buttafuoco.’ They focus on the media frenzy surrounding the case and the long-term effect it left on Mary and her loved ones. It also features an interview with Jessie, in which she opens up about how the experience has shaped her life.
Jessie Buttafuoco’s Childhood Was Shattered When Her Mother Was Shot in 1992
Mary Jo and Joey Buttafuoco welcomed Jessie Buttafuoco into the world in 1983. She grew up beside her beloved brother, Paul, and by 1986, the family moved to the Massapequa neighborhood on Long Island, New York. According to Jessie, her family life during her childhood was quite ideal. Unfortunately, on May 19, 1992, her life turned upside down when she was just in the third grade. Jessie recalled that she was in line for her P.E. class when she was pulled out and told she had to go. She stated, “I just remember looking at my aunt, and just getting a sense of like something is up.” Jessie soon learned that her mother, Mary, had been shot in the head and was rushed to the hospital.
Fortunately, Mary came out of the coma after surgery, but was reportedly left with facial paralysis and hearing loss. Mary then identified the shooter as 17-year-old Amy Fisher. According to reports, the investigation revealed that Amy was having an affair with then 36-year-old Joey, which led her to shoot Mary. Amy was arrested on May 21, 1992, and indicted on the charge of attempted murder. In September 1992, she pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of first-degree assault and was sentenced to 5 to 15 years in prison, with the possibility of parole after 5 years. After serving approximately seven years of her sentence, Amy was released on parole in May 1999.
During her sentencing, Amy reportedly stated that she had an intimate relationship with Joey. Despite an initial investigation into him, the prosecution had initially dropped the case of statutory rape due to a lack of proper evidence. He was ultimately arrested and indicted on 19 counts of sodomy, statutory rape, and endangering the welfare of a child in 1993, when a witness came forward. Joey pleaded guilty to one count of statutory rape on October 5, 1993, and was sentenced to 6 months in prison, along with 5 years of probation and $5,000 fine. He was eventually released after serving about 4 months of his sentence. The entire ordeal pushed Mary and Joey to get a divorce in 2003, ending their 26 years of marriage.
Jessie Continues to Draw Strength From Her Mother Despite Public Scrutiny
Jessie shared that the case brought her family under increasing media scrutiny, which consequently affected the lives of her and Paul. While speaking about her parents’ divorce, Jessie expressed, “I was devastated. It was like a kick to my stomach. I think I got really mad. It’s like after all we’ve been through, now y’all are giving up.” In the show, Jessie further revealed that the entire ordeal took a toll on her mental health, which allegedly led her to use cocaine. She explained, “Because it made me feel like the queen, and I experienced eating disorder from it.” According to reports, Joey frequently got into trouble with the law after being released on probation.
Jessie shared that she once again faced massive turmoil during a reunion show, where Mary and Joey faced Amy in person. However, according to her, the reunion was a “disaster.” Speaking about Joey, Jessie said, “I didn’t talk to my father for a solid year after that.” She further stated, “I was like, listen, Dad, my life is hard enough already, I’m in college. I am trying to figure out who I am. I am in the height of my drinking, drugging, and eating disorders.” As the years passed, Joey finally decided to share his story through a movie. When asked about her opinion on the matter, Jessie shared, “I’m proud of my dad for telling his story, and I hope he’s not using it to justify why he made so many poor decisions.”
According to reports, although Paul has decided to leave behind the Buttafuoco name and lead a private life, Jessie has embraced it. She has shared that she doesn’t want people’s opinions to dictate her life. In 2019, Jessie reportedly moved in with Mary after she was diagnosed with a serious health condition. She explains that it is more for her own peace of mind, to ensure her mother doesn’t suffer any more. As of writing, Jessie continues to maintain a close bond with Mary. She often expresses her love and pride for her mother, noting, “I am in awe of her resilience, courage, and unwavering commitment to helping others.” Whether it’s spending time together at a bowling alley or wishing Mary on Mother’s Day, Jessie’s love for her mother is truly evident.
Jessie Channels Her Energy Into Her Career and Advocacy for Mental Health
Even before the horrific experience affected Jessie’s life, she always considered the performative arts as her outlet. She shared that whenever she is on stage, she feels good about escaping reality. Hence, she has produced children’s theater and usually runs after-school theater programs. Besides that, Jessie has taken a unique academic journey. In September 2001, she enrolled at the University of California, Santa Barbara, to pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology. After graduating in July 2005, Jessie began working toward her Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology at Pepperdine University. She finally attained the degree in September 2023. Jessie also achieved a second Master’s in Media Psychology.
By 2024, Jessie began pursuing a Doctorate in Media Psychology at Fielding Graduate University, where she is studying the effects of true crime media on crime victims and their families. Additionally, she is making her mark as a Motivational Speaker and Trauma-Informed Media Consultant through podcasts, music, television, and other platforms. Jessie is also thriving as a Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist. Over the years, she has appeared on several shows, such as ‘The Dr. Oz Show’ (2018) and ‘The Doctors’ (2021), among several others. Most recently, her story was featured on Vanity Fair Magazine’s October 2025 issue. In that same month, Jessie appeared on ‘The Drew Barrymore Show,’ where she spoke about her trauma response after Mary’s shooting and the unwanted attention.
In December 2025, Jessie achieved another milestone by co-authoring a peer-reviewed scientific article published in Social and Personality Psychology Compass. She is also a sports enthusiast who joined the Golden Girls team in the Adult League of Basketball in 2024. She even helped her team win the City of Los Angeles Municipal Sports Women’s C+ League championship in December 2025. Above everything, Jessie actively raises awareness on substance abuse and mental health. Whenever she seeks inner peace or a break from her life, she heads to nature. Moreover, she loves spending time with her furry kitten, Mister. Sadly, Jessie had shared on the show that she can no longer believe in love, as she has associated it with the pain her family and she endured. Yet, despite the hardships, Jessie bravely continues moving forward in her life with purpose and head held high.
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