The trial of Richard Dabate, a Connecticut computer technician, has concluded with a conviction for the murder of his wife, Connie Dabate, a case that hinged on the damning data from her Fitbit fitness tracker, exposing a web of lies, infidelity, and a calculated plan to end her life just two days before Christmas in 2015. The jury, after deliberating for only three hours, found him guilty on all counts, including murder, tampering with evidence, and making false statements, following a five-week trial that revealed a stark contrast between the public image of a happy family and the private reality of a crumbling marriage. Richard Dabate, now 49, was sentenced to 65 years in prison, with the judge describing his actions as brutal, calculated, and incomprehensible, a punishment that brings a measure of justice to a family shattered by a crime that shocked the quiet town of Ellington.
Connie Dabate, a 39-year-old mother of two, was found dead in the basement of her home on Birchview Drive on December 23, 2015, shot once in the back of the head and once in the stomach. Her husband, Richard, claimed they were victims of a home invasion, telling police that a masked intruder, whom he described as tall and stocky with a deep voice, had tied him to a chair, stabbed him with a box cutter, and burned him with a blowtorch before shooting Connie. He said he had returned home after forgetting his laptop, encountered the intruder, and heard his wife come back from a cancelled spin class, only to hear two shots ring out at 9:05 a.
m. He claimed he managed to free himself, hit a panic button, and called 911, but the call was not made until nearly 10:30 a. m.
, a delay that would become a critical piece of the puzzle.
The investigation quickly unraveled Richard’s story, as detectives found no evidence of forced entry, no missing items, and no signs of a struggle, with the wallet he claimed was stolen found outside with everything still inside. The gun used to 𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁 Connie was the couple’s own, kept in the basement for protection, and it bore no fingerprints, not even from the alleged intruder. K9 units failed to detect any scent of an intruder leaving the property, and Richard’s injuries were deemed superficial, with no bruises or scratches on his body at Connie’s funeral, a detail that struck her friends as deeply suspicious.
His behavior after the murder was equally troubling, as he appeared chipper, going out for dinner and drinks, throwing parties, and posting on Facebook about staying strong for his boys, all while claiming a $475,000 life insurance policy on Connie and withdrawing $93,000 from an investment account in her name.
The turning point in the case came from Connie’s Fitbit, which provided a precise timeline that contradicted every aspect of Richard’s account. The data showed that Connie was alive and active for more than an hour after Richard claimed she was killed, with her heart rate and movements indicating she was not running from an intruder. At 8:46 a.
m. , she left for her spin class, and at 9:08 a. m.
, she arrived at the YMCA, sending a Facebook message to her therapist at 9:04 a. m. She left the building at 9:23 a.
m. , and her Fitbit registered activity when the garage door opened at 9:40 a. m.
, with her last movements recorded at 10:05 a. m. , just seven minutes before the panic alarm was activated.
Richard’s own computer and phone data showed he was at home during the entire time, logging into the home alarm system, sending emails from his home IP address, and even searching for the YMCA website to track Connie’s movements.
The motive for the murder became clear as investigators uncovered Richard’s long-term 𝒶𝒻𝒻𝒶𝒾𝓇 with Sarah, a woman he had known since high school and who had given a reading at his wedding to Connie. Sarah became pregnant in June 2015, and Richard promised to leave his wife, sending her texts just days before the murder saying he loved her and would see her tomorrow. He had also met with a divorce attorney but never filed paperwork, and Connie had started a note on her iPhone titled “Why I want a divorce,” detailing his irresponsible handling of money, his lack of attention, and his lies.
Richard’s internet searches included queries for deadly over-the-counter combinations, fast untraceable homemade poison, and tasteless poison, revealing a premeditated plan to eliminate his wife.
During the trial, prosecutors presented 600 pieces of evidence and testimony from more than 130 witnesses, including Richard himself, who took the stand and admitted to the 𝒶𝒻𝒻𝒶𝒾𝓇 but denied killing Connie. He claimed he was in love with both women and felt trapped, but he insisted he missed Connie every day and would not do that to his boys. Sarah testified that she never pressured Richard to leave his wife and was happy to raise her daughter alone, but she admitted she was ashamed of the 𝒶𝒻𝒻𝒶𝒾𝓇.
The defense argued that police had tunnel vision, focusing on Richard from the start and ignoring other leads, such as a contractor with whom the couple had a dispute, but that lead was ruled out after a thorough investigation.
The jury was not swayed by the defense’s arguments, and the verdict was met with emotional reactions from both families. Connie’s sister, Leslie, who is now raising Connie’s sons, said there will be no closure for the family but there is finally justice for Connie. She described her sister as a terrific sister, mother, and daughter who loved to make people smile, hosting elaborate parties and gatherings to keep friends and family together.
Connie’s mother remembered her last phone call with her daughter, where Connie said, “Mom, I love you, you’re my best friend,” a sentiment that captured her kind and caring nature. Richard’s defense team said they are prepared to fight the conviction, filing an appeal in October 2024, arguing that the state prosecutor engaged in a pattern of impropriety, but the case remains in the hands of the Connecticut Supreme Court.
The community of Ellington, still shaken by the crime, expressed relief at the verdict, with many saying they hope justice is served. The case has gained worldwide attention, highlighting the power of technology in solving crimes and the devastating consequences of a marriage gone wrong. Richard Dabate will spend the rest of his life in prison, with a maximum release date of May 2087, a sentence that reflects the brutality of his actions and the loss of a beloved mother, daughter, and friend.
As the family continues to grieve, they hold onto the memories of Connie’s laughter, her energy, and her unwavering love for those around her, a legacy that will never be forgotten.
