Vero Beach, Florida – After more than five decades, the case of World War II veteran Hiram ‘Ross’ Grayam, who was slain while working as a milkman in Florida, has finally been solved. Grayam was delivering milk in April 1968 when he failed to return home, leading deputies to later find his body and milk truck deep in the woods in the Vero Beach area, according to the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office.
The murder, which occurred shortly after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., was initially believed to be a robbery by local authorities. However, Grayam’s son, Larry, disagreed with this assertion in a 2010 interview. Grayam, a decorated war veteran who settled in Indian River County after the war, was described as a beloved milkman who went above and beyond to help his community.
After 56 years with no arrests made in the case, new leads emerged, pointing to Thomas J. Williams as the perpetrator. Williams, who had passed away, had reportedly confessed to Grayam’s murder posthumously. The sheriff’s office credited the determination and cooperation of witnesses in bringing closure to the long-unsolved case.
Witnesses came forward with crucial information, leading to breakthroughs in the investigation. Williams’ ex-wife and a friend of his sister revealed that he had confessed to them about killing Grayam. With Williams no longer a threat, these witnesses were able to provide authorities with vital information to help solve the case.
Detectives are now urging anyone with knowledge about the second man seen with Grayam before his murder to come forward. The resolution of this cold case serves as a reminder of the importance of speaking up and providing information to help bring justice to victims and closure to their families.