Film About Murder Of Bergen County Girl Scout, 7, To Be Screened, Plus Q&A With Mom

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — Rosemarie D'Alessandro — whose daughter Joan was killed in Bergen County in 1973 while delivering a box of Girl Scout Cookies — will answer questions this Saturday at a screening for a new documentary about the case and the fight for justice.

Young Joan D'Alessandro, 7, a Hillsdale resident, disappeared 41 years ago after asking her mom if she could deliver a box of Girl Scout cookies to a neighbor on the corner.

After an investigation, a chemistry teacher who lived across the street was sent to prison for Joan's sex assault and death.

When he came up for parole in 1993, Rosemarie fought many battles to keep him in jail.

Rosemarie's campaigns were ultimately successful, resulting in Joseph McGowan being denied parole several times.

McGowan died in prison in 2021.

This weekend, the documentary will be screened at the Elks Lodge in Westwood. Rosemarie has encouraged the public to attend. She and director Vanessa Martino will both be there for a Q&A.

The event will begin at 2 p.m. at Westwood Elks Hall. Find out more information here and you should register on evite here.

Other Information

Rosemarie has also written a book, "The Message of Light Amid Letters of Darkness," that can be purchased on Amazon.

"Too often people want to sympathize with the aggressors," wrote one reviewer, "let them out of jail early; give leniency because 'they have
changed' mentality. If you take a child from this earth in such a monstrous way — what is the message we are giving ... The child will not come back. Some acts have greater consequences - and should. This book is about it all — the loss of a child, the fight to keep those who commit evil behind bars (regardless of whether they change or not), and the huge responsibility we all have to support each other and our children."

The book includes letters McGowan wrote to other people while in prison.

Find out about events related to the cause at this website: Joan's Joy.

Read more about the film here.