SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A murder suspect in his 80s made his first court appearance in connection to the 1980 killing of Helen Terry.
The victim's family is now trying to find closure years after their loved one's death.
“She was very kind, very loving. That’s why we can’t even imagine something like that even happening to her — totally uncalled for,” said John Mays, Helen Terry’s brother.
It was an emotional day in court but one that was four decades in the making. 81-year-old Robert Terry made his first appearance in connection to Helen's death.
“We’ve been wondering since day one, and this is the first little bit of hope that we’ve had since then and we’re going to take it to the max,” Mays said.
Robert was arrested Friday, more than 44 years after Helen was found stabbed to death in her South Sacramento apartment. Her one-year-old son was inside when she was found.
In 2016, the Sacramento Police Department re-opened the case and DNA evidence pointed to Robert Terry as a suspect.
"We had suspicions, but can't really do anything about suspicions. When it did come down to us, it was like a big relief — like something we've known all along, but could never prove it," Mays said.
At the time, her son was believed to be the biological child of Robert, however he denied paternity and was involved in a paternity suit she filed for child support.
The initial investigation allegedly did not yield enough evidence to either identify or charge a suspect.
“We missed her dearly for 44 years. And to this day, we still miss her. But due to the circumstances, we know she can’t come back. But she’s always been in our hearts and always will be," Mays said.
As for Helen's son, who is now an adult, neither police nor her family shared any information about where he is or if he was contacted about the arrest.
Terry is due back in court for a bail hearing on Oct. 17.
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