**True Crime Case of the Week: 2/2/25**
Check out my sources at the bottom and listen to the actual coverage of this case on True Crime with Ivana Estelle
Welcome back to *True Crime with Ivana Estelle*. Today’s case isn’t about murder, but it’s just as disturbing. It’s a cautionary tale of what happens when the justice system and community fail to intervene. Monsters don’t stop hurting people on their own—they have to be stopped. This is the case of Denys Ludiasca, a young man who committed a horrific crime but still walks free.
This episode is especially for parents, older siblings, cousins—anyone looking out for the younger generation. It’s also for my younger listeners. The world can be dangerous, and choosing who to trust is harder than it seems.
This case involves a sexual assault that took place in a public space. Sexual violence alters a person’s life in unimaginable ways. It’s an experience that lingers, shaping self-worth, relationships, and trust. And yet, society still struggles to see sexual violence as the life-altering crime it is. This case is particularly alarming because it feels like we’re on the brink of another tragedy. If Denys isn’t stopped, I believe he will reoffend.
The Setting: Willowbrook Mall, New Jersey
In a world of online shopping, malls aren’t as popular as they used to be, but the big ones still draw crowds. Willowbrook Mall, the site of this crime, is one of those hubs—a place where teens hang out, shop, and sometimes work.
Jane Doe, a 15-year-old girl, encountered 23-year-old Denys Ludiasca at the mall. Reports differ on whether she was working at JCPenney or just visiting with friends, but one fact remains: she was a child, and he was an adult. They had seen each other before. That night, he approached her under the guise of shopping for cologne, flirted, and led her upstairs. He kissed her, then led her into a janitor’s closet near JCPenney. Once inside, things took a terrifying turn. According to the affidavit, Denys raped her and forced her into further sexual acts before finally letting her go.
The Aftermath
Jane Doe immediately told her friend, who urged her to go to the police. Investigators wasted no time. On January 14th, undercover officers set up surveillance at the mall. It didn’t take long for Denys to approach a female officer, grab her arm, and ask for her Instagram—just like he had done with Jane Doe. That was all the police needed. With surveillance footage and Jane Doe’s testimony, he was arrested on January 16th.
A Pattern of Crime
Denys is no stranger to the law. In 2020, at just 18, he robbed a diner in Bergen County, injuring an employee. Later that year, he was involved in a high-speed chase, hid under a car to evade police, and stole another vehicle. He has been linked to multiple crimes, including armed robbery at a motel. Despite his growing rap sheet, he continued his predatory behavior unchecked.
Why This Case Matters
Society often doubts survivors, questioning their truth. But here’s the reality: Jane Doe was 15, Denys was 23. Even if she had willingly followed him, she could not legally consent. And the fact that he targeted another young girl days later proves he’s a predator.
Denys Ludiasca has shown us who he is—a man with a history of violence who escalated to sexual assault. This case isn’t just about one victim. It’s about stopping someone before he ruins more lives. If he isn’t convicted, we may soon be hearing his name linked to even worse crimes.
We must stay educated, stay vigilant, and, most importantly, believe survivors.
Stay safe, and I’ll see you next time on *True Crime with Ivana Estelle*.
Sources:
https://rainn.org/resources\
https://dailyvoice.com/new-jersey/cliffsidepark/police-fire/crime-spree-habitual-hackensack-teen-offender-charged-in-new-milford-police-pursuit-car-theft/784388/
https://dailyvoice.com/new-jersey/cliffsidepark/news/new-milford-police-capture-fugitive-wanted-in-route-46-gunpoint-motel-robbery/801626/
https://patch.com/new-jersey/wayne/wayne-mall-worker-trapped-teen-closet-sexually-assaulted-her-cops
https://www.nj.com/passaic-county/2025/01/man-kidnapped-sexually-assaulted-teen-at-nj-mall-cops-say.html
https://www.nj.com/passaic-county/2025/01/nj-mall-kiosk-worker-kidnapped-sexually-assaulted-teen-in-closet-cops-say.html
https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/crime/2025/01/28/willowbrook-mall-assault-wayne-nj-leads-to-charges/77997679007/
https://nj1015.com/nj-man-denys-ludisaca-accused-of-raping-teen-girl-at-willowbrook-mall-new-jersey/
https://patch.com/new-jersey/ridgewood/hackensack-man-robbed-bergen-county-diner-police
