After more than three decades behind bars, Chad Campbell, convicted of one of Wayne County’s most harrowing crimes, is set to walk free as early as March 12, 2026. The New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) confirmed on November 25, 2025, that Campbell, now 50, will be released following a decision by the state Board of Parole. The news has reignited anguish and outrage among the victims’ families and the local community, many of whom have spent years fighting to keep Campbell in prison.
The case dates back to a summer evening in 1990, when 15-year-old Cynthia Lewis and 17-month-old Curtis Rizzo disappeared in Palmyra, Wayne County. According to reports from Democrat and Chronicle and USA TODAY Network, the two were reported missing around 8 p.m. on August 1. Their bodies were discovered the next day, August 2, behind the Palmyra-Macedon Middle School—an event that would haunt the community for decades.
Campbell, who was just 14 years old at the time, was charged on August 3, 1990. In September 1991, a Wayne County Court jury found him guilty of two counts of second-degree murder. He was sentenced to 18 years to life, entering state custody in January 1996. For many, the brutality of the crime—Cynthia Lewis was raped and stabbed, and baby Curtis Rizzo was also killed—remains etched in memory. Finger Lakes News Radio described the case as a "brutal double murder," underscoring the community’s enduring pain.
Campbell’s path to parole has been anything but straightforward. He first became eligible for parole in 2008 and has appeared before the board every two years since, only to be denied each time. According to USA TODAY Network, these denials were largely due to Campbell’s perceived lack of remorse. Family members of the victims, along with local officials, have consistently opposed his release, arguing that Campbell has never expressed genuine regret for his actions.
State Senator Pamela Helming, who represents the area, has been a vocal supporter of the victims’ families. In response to the parole board’s latest decision, she helped spearhead a petition to keep Campbell behind bars. The Wayne County District Attorney, Christine Callanan, also issued a statement on November 25, 2025, expressing disappointment and concern for public safety. As reported by Finger Lakes News Radio, family members have repeatedly stated they would fear for their safety if Campbell were ever released.
"Campbell hasn’t shown any remorse for his crimes," family members and investigators close to the case told Democrat and Chronicle. Their fears are not unfounded. The trauma of losing a loved one to a violent crime often lingers for generations, and the thought of the perpetrator returning to society can reopen wounds that never fully healed.
Despite these concerns, the Board of Parole granted Campbell an open release date of March 12, 2026, or earlier, after an interview on November 12, 2025. He is currently being held at the Woodbourne Correctional Facility in Sullivan County, where he has served the bulk of his sentence. The parole board’s decision reflects a legal process that weighs the severity of the crime, the inmate’s behavior in prison, and their readiness for reintegration into society. But for many in Wayne County, the board’s ruling feels like a betrayal of justice.
The story has drawn attention beyond Wayne County, with coverage from outlets like USA TODAY Network and Finger Lakes News Radio highlighting the broader debate over parole for violent offenders. The case raises difficult questions: Can someone who committed a heinous crime as a teenager ever be truly rehabilitated? Does the passage of time—and years spent in prison—diminish the need for accountability? And how should the justice system balance the rights of offenders with the lasting pain of victims’ families?
For the families of Cynthia Lewis and Curtis Rizzo, the answers are painfully clear. They have fought for years to ensure that Campbell remained behind bars, gathering signatures, attending parole hearings, and enlisting the support of elected officials. State Senator Helming’s involvement, including her public petition, underscores the depth of community opposition to Campbell’s release. As Democrat and Chronicle reported, every parole hearing has been a fresh ordeal for the families, forcing them to relive the worst moments of their lives.
Yet, the law is the law. Campbell was sentenced to 18 years to life, a term that allowed for the possibility of parole after serving the minimum time. His repeated denials reflected the seriousness of his crimes and his perceived lack of remorse. But with each passing year, the legal calculus shifted. By 2025, parole board members determined that Campbell could be safely released, provided he meets certain conditions.
Campbell’s release will almost certainly be met with heightened scrutiny. According to USA TODAY Network, he will be subject to strict supervision and monitoring, a common requirement for parolees convicted of violent crimes. But for many in Wayne County, no amount of oversight can erase the horror of what happened in August 1990.
The case also highlights the evolving approach to juvenile offenders in the criminal justice system. Campbell was just a teenager when he committed the murders, and modern legal standards increasingly recognize the potential for change in young offenders. Still, as this case shows, the path to redemption is fraught with controversy—especially when the crimes are as devastating as those committed by Campbell.
As the community braces for Campbell’s release, local officials and family members vow to remain vigilant. State Senator Helming has pledged to monitor the situation closely, and the Wayne County District Attorney’s office will continue to advocate for the victims’ families. For now, the scars left by the murders of Cynthia Lewis and Curtis Rizzo remain fresh, a stark reminder of the enduring impact of violent crime.
The story of Chad Campbell’s impending release is more than a legal milestone—it’s a test of the justice system’s ability to balance punishment, rehabilitation, and the needs of those left behind. As March 2026 approaches, Wayne County faces a moment of reckoning, forced to confront old wounds and new uncertainties.