Long Island was thrust into the national spotlight (again) on May 19, 1992, when a shocking crime shattered the tranquility of one neighborhood. That was the day when Amy Fisher, a teenage girl entangled in a love affair, walked up to the home of her lover and forever altered the life of his wife, Mary Jo Buttafuoco.
Fisher’s actions that fateful day, firing a 25-caliber handgun at Mary Jo Buttafuoco, left an indelible mark on Long Island’s history. The incident sparked a scandal that gripped the nation, earning Fisher the moniker “Long Island Lolita.” The affair between Fisher and her lover, Joey Buttafuoco, unfolded into a tale of betrayal, obsession, and tragedy that seemed straight out of a tabloid headline.
The event spurred many parodies including this In Living Color sketch making fun of Fischer and Buttafuoco, especially their Long Island accents.
The aftermath of the shooting was a whirlwind of media frenzy and legal proceedings. Fisher, convicted for her crime, spent eight years behind bars before being paroled in 1999. However, her notoriety didn’t end there. In the years following her release, Fisher delved into various ventures, from adult films to reality television, ensuring her continued presence in the public eye.
Meanwhile, Mary Jo Buttafuoco endured profound physical and emotional scars from the attack. Despite losing her hearing in one ear and suffering from facial paralysis, she remained by her husband’s side for a considerable period, even defending him in the media. However, eventually, she made the difficult decision to leave her cheating spouse and rebuild her life. In 2009, she penned a book, shedding light on her reasons for staying in a tumultuous marriage for so long.
As for Joey Buttafuoco, he relocated to California, seeking a fresh start away from the tumultuous past. However, fate had other plans, as he later reunited with Fisher in 2011, sparking rumors of a reality television venture. The tangled web of relationships and repercussions continued, demonstrating the enduring fascination with this dark chapter in Long Island’s history.
Despite the passage of time, the saga of Amy Fisher, Mary Jo Buttafuoco, and Joey Buttafuoco remains etched in the collective memory of Long Island residents and true crime enthusiasts alike. Their story serves as a cautionary tale of love gone awry and the destructive consequences of obsession and infidelity. And while the years may have dulled the headlines, the echoes of that tragic day in 1992 continue to reverberate through the annals of Long Island crime history.
