In April, the bustling streets of Northeast D.C. were unceremoniously introduced to a grim narrative when the body of 63-year-old Donnella Bryan was found discarded in a mall dumpster. Her ex-boyfriend, 57-year-old Richard Dyson of the District of Columbia, has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in connection with the case, a plea that carries the weight of up to 24 years behind bars. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro announced the plea originally yesterday.
In the Superior Court of the District of Columbia on October 7, Dyson entered a plea in connection with the killing of Bryan. Sentencing is scheduled for December 12, when Judge Michael Ryan will determine Dyson's punishment. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Dyson acted with deliberate intent, striking Bryan in the head, suffocating her with a sock, and then involving an accomplice—who has since died—to help dispose of her body in a large container that was later discarded in the trash.
Authorities report that the incident took place at the Press House Apartments. Following the crime, Dyson reportedly maintained a façade of normalcy, even purchasing a container from Home Depot, seemingly to conceal his actions. The tragic outcome became clear when the victim’s body was discovered on April 19. Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department joined the announcement, underlining the severity of the case, as noted by the same press release.
Dyson was arrested on June 11, shortly after the victim’s body was found, and has remained in custody since. Authorities describe a calculated sequence of events—from planning and murder to attempted concealment—culminating in the discovery that brought the case to light. The Metropolitan Police Department’s investigation, followed by prosecution led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony Cocuzza, laid the groundwork for bringing Dyson to justice.
