The Murder of Alexandra Dux: Love, Jealousy, and a Tragic End - Sponsored by TopNaturalHealth.com

The Murder of Alexandra Dux: Love, Jealousy, and a Tragic End

MILFORD, Conn. (AP) — On a seemingly ordinary day in May 2006, the small, quiet town of Milford was rocked by a brutal crime that would leave residents shaken and searching for answers. Alexandra Dux, a 26-year-old aspiring dancer and actress, was found savagely murdered in the basement of her family home. It wasn’t just the tragedy of her death that shocked the town, but the disturbing details of the crime scene—Alexandra had been beaten to death, stabbed, and left in a pool of blood. As investigators worked to piece together what had happened, they uncovered a twisted tale of love, jealousy, and revenge that spanned years.

Matthew Pew, Alexandra’s ex-boyfriend, would eventually be charged and convicted of her murder. However, the path to justice was fraught with delays, false leads, and unexpected twists that made this case one of the most perplexing and emotionally charged crimes Milford had ever seen.

This is the story of Alexandra Dux’s life, her tragic death, and the long, painful road to justice that followed. Through interviews, case files, and courtroom drama, we will explore the intricate details of a crime motivated by jealousy and obsession, and the impact it had on Alexandra’s family, friends, and the community.

The Life of Alexandra Dux: Dreams Cut Short

Born on December 9, 1979, in New Haven, Connecticut, Alexandra Dux was the youngest of three children in a close-knit family. She grew up in Milford, a picturesque suburban town located just an hour’s drive from New York City. Her parents, John and Linda, had met in 1974 and quickly married, creating a stable and loving environment for their children. Alexandra’s two older brothers, with whom she shared a strong bond, were her protectors and playmates, often engaging in family sports and outdoor activities.

From an early age, Alexandra exhibited a passion for performing arts, particularly dance and gymnastics. By the time she was in high school, she was already winning local dance competitions and earning recognition for her talents. Her dream was to become an actress, a goal that seemed within reach due to her energy, charisma, and dedication. Alexandra’s friends described her as “full of life,” with a bright personality that drew people in. She had a natural ability to connect with others and was beloved by those who knew her.

After graduating from high school, Alexandra enrolled in college and continued her dance training while balancing a part-time job at a local bank. She pursued a degree in finance but never gave up on her passion for the arts. As a talented dancer, she participated in various performances, eventually earning a teaching assistant position at a local dance academy. By the age of 23, Alexandra had secured a job as a systems analyst at the same bank where she worked part-time during college, demonstrating her ability to excel in both her professional and creative pursuits.

However, it was her involvement in acting that brought her the most excitement. Alexandra began to get small roles in music videos and television shows, including a supporting role on the popular TV series Law & Order. Her agent in New York was working hard to help her land bigger parts, and it seemed that her career was on the verge of taking off. But in the midst of her burgeoning success, Alexandra’s personal life was unraveling in ways that would ultimately lead to her death.

A Romance Turns Dark: Matthew Pew Enters the Picture

Alexandra met Matthew Pew during her early twenties, and the two quickly began a relationship. Matthew, seven years older than Alexandra, had a troubled past. He had been in and out of prison, with a criminal record that included theft and assault. Despite these red flags, Alexandra was drawn to him, and their relationship blossomed. Friends and family, however, expressed concerns about Matthew’s temper and possessiveness, warning Alexandra to be careful.

Matthew had an explosive personality, often becoming jealous and controlling. As their relationship progressed, it became clear that he was not supportive of Alexandra’s ambitions. Unlike Alexandra, who was building a career in both finance and the arts, Matthew was unemployed for long stretches of time and seemed content to drift from job to job. His lack of ambition was a source of tension between them, and Alexandra began to feel that Matthew was holding her back.

In January 2004, after years of growing frustration, Alexandra decided to end the relationship. The breakup was not amicable. Matthew was furious, refusing to accept that Alexandra was moving on. He began sending her threatening letters from prison, one of which spanned eight pages, detailing his anger and jealousy. He even showed up unannounced at her home on multiple occasions, trying to win her back.

Despite his attempts to rekindle their relationship, Alexandra stood firm in her decision. She wanted to focus on her career and her future. But Matthew couldn’t let go, and in the years following their breakup, he harbored a deep resentment toward Alexandra that would ultimately lead to her violent death.

The Crime: A Grisly Discovery

On May 19, 2006, Alexandra’s mother, Linda, returned home in the late afternoon, around 4:30 p.m. As she pulled into the driveway, she noticed that the front door was wide open—an unusual sight in their normally secure home. Alexandra’s beloved dog was outside, sitting on the patio, wagging her tail. Linda immediately sensed that something was wrong. The door was never left open, and the dog wasn’t allowed outside without supervision.

Panicked, Linda rushed into the house, calling out for her daughter. But there was no response. Her heart raced as she climbed the stairs to the basement, where Alexandra had been living in her personal space, a room she had converted into a cozy retreat filled with her dance trophies, workout equipment, and a small bed.

As Linda descended the stairs, she saw something that made her stomach drop—there were large drops of blood on the floor. Her worst fears were realized when she saw her daughter’s lifeless body lying on the basement floor, surrounded by a pool of blood. Alexandra’s face was unrecognizable, crushed beyond recognition. Her body was sprawled in an unnatural position, and there were signs of a violent struggle.

In shock, Linda called 911, screaming into the phone as she tried to describe the horrific scene. When first responders arrived, they were greeted by one of the most brutal crime scenes they had ever witnessed. Blood spattered the walls and furniture, even reaching Alexandra’s dance trophies, which stood on a nearby shelf. One of the trophies was missing—later determined to be the weapon used to beat Alexandra to death. A kitchen knife was also found near her body, with the blade broken off and a shard embedded in her skull.

Alexandra had been stabbed and beaten with such force that some of her teeth were knocked out. The autopsy would later reveal that she had swallowed several of them before succumbing to her injuries. The cause of death was multiple stab wounds and blunt force trauma to the head.

The Investigation Begins: Matthew Pew Becomes a Suspect

The brutality of the crime shocked even the most seasoned detectives. From the start, investigators believed that this was a personal crime, likely committed by someone close to Alexandra. There were no signs of forced entry, suggesting that Alexandra may have known her killer and willingly let them into the house. Additionally, most of the house had been left untouched, ruling out robbery as a motive.

The first person police turned their attention to was Alexandra’s ex-boyfriend, Matthew Pew. He had a history of violent behavior, and his letters to Alexandra in the months after their breakup were filled with threats. Investigators learned that Matthew had been in and out of prison for various offenses, including an assault in 2008 where he had threatened a woman with a gun.

Despite the growing suspicion around him, Matthew maintained his innocence. He provided an alibi, claiming that he had been at work at the time of Alexandra’s murder. He worked two jobs, one at a local Papa John’s pizza restaurant and another at an aircraft parts factory. On the day of the murder, he claimed to have worked his shift and then gone home, with no reason to be near Alexandra’s house.

Matthew’s alibi seemed solid at first, but as investigators dug deeper, they began to find inconsistencies. He had lied about the exact time he left work, and his timeline for the day of the murder didn’t add up. Despite this, police were unable to find any physical evidence directly linking him to the crime scene—there were no fingerprints, no DNA, and no witnesses who could place him at Alexandra’s house that day.

A False Lead: Alexandra’s New Boyfriend

As the investigation continued, detectives also turned their attention to Alexandra’s new boyfriend, Jason Malone. Jason had started dating Alexandra shortly after her breakup with Matthew, and their relationship was still in its early stages. Jason had an alibi for the day of the murder—he was working at his job checking electric meters around town. However, detectives couldn’t immediately verify his whereabouts during the critical hours when Alexandra was killed.

Jason cooperated with the investigation, but his nervous demeanor during questioning raised suspicions. He explained that he and Alexandra had been making plans for the evening and had spoken on the phone just hours before her death. During one of their conversations, Alexandra had mentioned seeing someone outside her house, but she didn’t elaborate on who it was. Jason admitted that he had become jealous, wondering if it could have been her ex-boyfriend, Matthew.

Witnesses had reported seeing a dark green car parked near Alexandra’s house on the day of the murder, and Jason’s car matched the description. However, further investigation revealed that Jason’s phone records placed him far from the crime scene during the time of the murder, effectively clearing him as a suspect.

With Jason eliminated from suspicion, detectives were left with more questions than answers. They had two potential suspects—Matthew Pew, whose history of violence and jealousy made him a strong candidate, and an unknown person who had yet to surface in the investigation. But without hard evidence, the case began to stall.

Years of Delays: The Case Goes Cold

For years, the murder of Alexandra Dux remained unsolved. Detectives continued to investigate, but the lack of forensic evidence and clear leads made it difficult to move forward. Alexandra’s family, devastated by her loss, pushed for answers, but it seemed as though justice would remain elusive.

In 2010, four years after the murder, police offered a $50,000 reward for any information that could lead to the arrest and conviction of Alexandra’s killer. They also reached out to the public, asking for anyone with information about the case to come forward. While the reward generated some interest, none of the tips led to significant breakthroughs.

In the years following Alexandra’s death, investigators had focused on two key pieces of evidence: a distinctive shoe print found at the crime scene and a piece of duct tape discovered near Alexandra’s body. However, the shoe print couldn’t be matched to any known suspects, and the duct tape, though unusual, didn’t provide enough clues to identify the killer.

The Breakthrough: A Confession from a Family Member

The case took a dramatic turn in 2012 when detectives received a tip from an unexpected source—Matthew Pew’s cousin, Anthony Pew. Anthony had been interviewed by police early in the investigation, but at the time, he hadn’t revealed the full extent of what he knew. Now, six years after Alexandra’s murder, Anthony decided to come forward with information that would change the course of the investigation.

Anthony told detectives that after Alexandra broke up with Matthew, his cousin became obsessed with her. Matthew’s jealousy consumed him, and he began plotting ways to get revenge. Anthony revealed that Matthew had originally planned to kill Alexandra by injecting her with a lethal dose of an illegal substance, making it look like an accidental overdose. However, when Matthew learned that Alexandra had started a new relationship, his anger escalated, and he changed his plan to a more violent form of retribution.

Anthony also provided a crucial detail—Matthew had stolen duct tape from the aircraft parts factory where he worked, intending to use it in the murder. This matched the type of duct tape found at the crime scene, a specific brand not commonly sold in stores.

The Arrest and Trial: Matthew Pew’s Day in Court

With this new information, police were able to obtain a warrant for Matthew’s arrest. On August 24, 2012, six years after Alexandra’s murder, Matthew Pew was formally charged with first-degree murder and home invasion. The arrest brought a sense of relief to Alexandra’s family, who had spent years waiting for justice.

During the trial, which began in 2015, the prosecution argued that Matthew’s jealousy and rage over Alexandra’s new relationship had driven him to commit the murder. They presented evidence of his threatening letters, his obsessive behavior, and the duct tape that linked him to the crime scene. Although there was no direct DNA or fingerprint evidence, the circumstantial evidence and testimony from Anthony Pew were compelling.

Matthew’s defense team, however, argued that there was not enough concrete evidence to convict him. They pointed out the lack of physical evidence, such as fingerprints or DNA, and questioned the reliability of Anthony’s testimony, suggesting that he may have been motivated by personal grievances against his cousin.

In the end, the jury deliberated for 10 days before reaching a verdict. Matthew Pew was found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to 60 years in prison. He was also sentenced to an additional 20 years for home invasion, bringing his total sentence to 80 years.

Conclusion: Justice for Alexandra Dux

The murder of Alexandra Dux is a tragic reminder of the destructive power of jealousy and obsession. Her life, full of promise and potential, was cut short by a man who couldn’t accept that she had moved on. The road to justice was long and difficult, but in the end, Alexandra’s family found some closure in knowing that her killer was finally held accountable.

For the town of Milford, Alexandra’s murder left a lasting impact. It was a crime that shocked the community, a brutal reminder that even in the most peaceful places, darkness can lurk beneath the surface.

Today, Alexandra’s memory lives on through the many people whose lives she touched. Her passion for the arts, her kindness, and her bright spirit are remembered by those who knew her best. While her dreams were tragically cut short, her legacy endures, a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable loss.