Naman Shrestha
In Investigation Discovery’s ‘A Serial Killer’s Best Friend,’ the primary focus is on the murders of two childhood friends — Michael Falco and Tim Rysedorph. Having been involved in multiple petty thefts and crimes for several years, the two small-time criminals met their demise more than a decade apart from one another. The case cracked open, and the two murders were connected to each other when the killer unexpectedly reached out to the authorities. As the documentary features interviews with the officials and loved ones of the deceased men, it provides the viewers with a detailed account of the case.
The Remains of Michael Falco and Tim Rysedorph Were Found in the Summer of 1998
Michael “Mike” Falco and Timothy Wayne “Tim” Rysedorph were childhood friends as they grew up in Troy, New York. While the former was born on February 3, 1959, Tim was born on June 2, 1958, to Marjorie Rysedorph. Not much is known about the formative years of Michael, but Tim was raised alongside his eight siblings — five sisters and three brothers. Tim married Dana De Russo Rysedorph, with whom he had three sons — Thomas, Nicholas, and Timothy Ian Rysedorph. The Hudson Valley Community College graduate served as a drummer for various bands, including Monkey Buzness, Leroux, and Emerald City. On the professional front, Tim was employed at BFI in Latham, New York.
In the 1970s, Tim and Michael rented an apartment in Troy, New York, with another childhood friend, Gary Evans. Later police investigations reportedly linked the trio of friends to a series of robberies, thefts, scams, and other crimes in the Capital District. Several years later, in February 1985, Michael Falco, who was in his mid-20s, went missing. More than a decade later, on October 5, 1997, 39-year-old Timothy Wayne “Tim” Rysedorph also disappeared in Albany County, New York. Several months later, in July 1998, Tim’s dismembered remains were found in a wooded area in the Rensselaer County town of Brunswick. That same month, Michael’s dismembered remains were found in a ditch in Lake Worth, Florida. The cause of death for both men was fatal gunshot wounds.
Michael Falco and Tim Rysedorph’s Childhood Friend Turned Against Them
According to reports, while Michael Falco and Gary Evans continued committing petty thefts together, Tim Rysedorph parted ways with them in January 1985. At the time, another man named Damien Cuomo was reportedly associated with the group’s activities. A few months later, in late July 1985, after tensions began brewing between Gary and Michael, the former told the police that he had fatally shot Michael in their shared Troy apartment. According to Gary’s confession, he dismembered the remains and disposed of them in Florida with Tim’s assistance. At the time, he was out on parole for a previous crime. Six weeks later, Gary was arrested for violating his parole by leaving the state.
Per Gary’s confession, in December 1989, he also killed Damien, who he claimed had witnessed him kill a shop owner during a burglary earlier that year, scared that he might snitch on him. Over the years, Gary said he grew paranoid that Tim could also report Michael’s killing to the police. Thus, on October 3, 1997, he allegedly killed Tim, too, and buried his remains in a secluded wooded area. After getting rid of the murder weapon, the alleged shooter fled New York and violated his parole once again. Several months later, on May 27, 1998, Gary surrendered himself to the police by visiting the police station in St. Johnsbury, Vermont, and confessing to multiple murders.
Authorities stated that during his interrogation, Gary admitted to killing a total of five people, including his three accomplices — Michael Falco, Tim Rysedorph, and Damien Cuomo. In addition, he reportedly also admitted to the police that he had killed two jewelry shop owners — Gregory Jouben and Douglas Berry — during robberies. Gary claimed that his guilty conscience pushed him to make the confessions as he had noticed Tim’s 9-year-old son allegedly struggle with his mental and emotional health since his father’s disappearance. He was subsequently arrested in connection with the murders, after which he led the authorities to the buried remains of his three late friends.
Gary Evans Died After Reportedly Trying to Escape the Police
A few months after his arrest, on August 12, 1998, Gary Evans was arraigned and officially charged with three murders. A couple of days later, on the morning of August 14, he was sentenced to 24 months in prison for his parole violation charges. After the hearing, he was being transferred from the Federal courthouse in Albany to the Rensselaer County Jail in Troy when he somehow reportedly used a hidden key and a straight razor to get out of the chains and handcuffs inside the prisoner transport van. While the vehicle was on the Troy-Menands Bridge, 43-year-old Gary Evans jumped out of the van, but was cornered by the officers. In order to get away from them, he leaped off the bridge and into the Hudson River 80 feet below. Authorities confirmed that he sustained fatal head injuries as he hit the shallows.
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