Accused Killer Identified In FL Milkman's 1968 Shooting Death: Sheriff

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FL — The 1968 shooting death of a Florida milkman and World War II veteran has been solved, authorities say.

Indian River County authorities said the late Hiram "Ross" Grayam served in the Battle of the Bulge and was freed from two concentration camps.

At the conclusion of WWII, authorities said the "beloved milkman" went to work on his milk delivery route in April 1968 and did not return home from work.

After a search, Grayam's body and truck were found deep into the woods, authorities said. They determined Grayam had been shot several times.

The victim’s son, Larry Grayam, who was 16 at the time of his father’s death, told CNN his father's murder "devastated my family … and caused me to actually lead a life of public safety and work as a photojournalist as well.”

Hiram Grayam, 47, a married father of three from Vero Beach who received the Purple Heart, was last seen by a witness talking to two males who then got into his truck, Sheriff Eric Flowers said Thursday at a news conference. Grayam’s body and truck were found in a wooded area the next day.

"Despite exhaustive efforts, his killer eluded justice. Fast forward 56 years, that fateful night still lingered in the minds of detectives who were dedicated to solving the mystery of Grayam’s killer. The relentless pursuit of truth by the (Indian River County Sheriff's Office) Cold Case Unit breathed new life into Grayam's case," authorities said in a news release.

Through the investigation, and with the cooperation of witnesses, authorities accused Thomas J. Williams of killing Grayam. Authorities said Williams, who is now dead, confessed to Grayam's killing.

"Fueled by a commitment to closure and justice, the Cold Case Unit continues the pursue every new lead. Armed with the latest technology and new partnerships, they stand as beacons of hope for families like the Grayams, ensuring that no victim is forgotten, and no crime is unpunished. With each lead pursued, they honor the memory of those lost and bring closure to countless families," authorities said in the release.