Hiram "Ross" Grayam, a decorated World War II veteran who survived the Battle of the Bulge and witnessed the liberation of two concentration camps, met a tragic end in 1968 while on his delivery route as a beloved milkman in Indian River County, Florida.
After 56 years, the long-standing mystery of the "Milkman Homicide" has been solved. The Indian River Sheriff's Office revealed that Thomas J. Williams, who passed away in 2016, was identified as Grayam's killer in a recent statement.
Grayam, a Purple Heart recipient, had moved to Vero Beach with his family in the 1960s and worked as a salesman for Borden Milk Company, as reported by CBS affiliate WPEC-TV. On April 11, 1968, he set out on his delivery routes but tragically never made it back home.
Mysterious Disappearance of Milkman Ends in Tragedy
A witness recounted seeing Grayam conversing with two men by the roadside, as shared by Indian River County Sheriff Eric Flowers during a recent press briefing. The witness observed the men entering Grayam's truck before the trio drove off, never to be seen again.
Following the witness's account, the sheriff's office deployed a Piper airplane, which eventually located Hiram's lifeless body.
"Upon reaching the initial scene, Mr. Grayam was discovered next to the milk truck, with fatal gunshot wounds, in what appeared to be an execution-style killing," Flowers disclosed.
The victim's son, Larry Grayam, was merely 16 years old when the tragic incident unfolded.
"Imagine being told at 16 that your father's body was found in the woods, shot to death. It's utterly devastating," expressed Larry Grayam in an interview with WPEC-TV.
"In 2006, we received our first lead regarding Thomas Williams potentially being linked to this case," Flowers revealed. "Williams penned a letter to the newspaper following media coverage, refuting accusations of his involvement in the murder."
Despite Williams' denial, authorities lacked adequate evidence to apprehend him, resulting in the case going cold for a decade until Williams passed away in 2016.
According to Flowers, Williams' ex-wife and a friend of his sister, who were previously unaware of each other, both came forward to reveal that Williams had confessed to the crime.
"These individuals expressed that they had never spoken up before, fearing for their safety and that of their families while Williams was alive. However, his death gave them the courage to share the truth," Flowers stated. "Two separate witnesses have come forward, both claiming that this individual admitted to the milkman's murder."
"The Cold Case Unit is actively following up on every new lead," stated the sheriff's office. "Utilizing the latest technology and forming new partnerships, they serve as a beacon of hope for families like the Grayams, ensuring that every victim receives justice and no crime goes unpunished."
