Mom Of Late Girl Scout Answers Questions In Westwood About Documentary

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — More than 60 people came to the Westwood Elks Lodge recently to meet Rosemarie D'Alessandro, whose daughter Joan was killed in Bergen County in 1973 while delivering a box of Girl Scout Cookies, and to watch a new documentary about the case.

The Joan's Joy Foundation shared the film “Daughter of Mine” on Saturday June 29.

The Foundation said, "So many shared and connected with us and the filmmaker Vanessa Martino at the lively Q and A. The foundation thanks the
Westwood Elks for donating the use of the Hall and a member Neil Stewart who donated his time and the drinks."

The film will be showing at film festivals in Boston and Los Angeles this summer.

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 D'Alessandro 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.

The film has been screened since late last year, but film festivals will get it in front of distributors for potential wider release.

Read more about the film here.

Other Information

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

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