A confession from 'beyond the grave' helps solve WWII veteran's murder 56 years later

More than five decades after it happened, the killing of Hiran "Ross" Grayam, a decorated World War II veteran, has been solved after the murderer confessed from "beyond the grave".

In April 1968, Grayam, a Purple Heart recipient, was found shot dead next to his milk van in Florida. For around 56 years, the sheriff's office was unable to solve the murder and "his killer eluded justice".

What happened in 1968?

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The WWII veteran, who had faced the horrors of the Battle of the Bulge and the liberation of two concentration camps, had settled in Indian River County after the war.

In April 1968, as per a statement from the Indian River County Sheriff's Office, he set out on his familiar milk delivery route "unaware that it would be his last".

When he failed to return home that fateful day, a search was launched by the police and his milk truck was spotted from a plane in the Vero Beach area. His body was found next to the truck.

As per Indian River County sheriff Eric Flowers, first responders at the scene found Grayam "laying next to the milk truck with bullet wounds, killed execution-style".

However, "despite exhaustive efforts, his killer eluded justice."

How was the cold case solved?

Fifty-six years after the so-called"Milkman Homicide,"the "relentless pursuit of truth by the IRCSO Cold Case Unit breathed new life into Grayam's case."

As per ABC News, two people — his ex-wife, and a friend of his sister — came forward with the confession after the murderer, identified as Thomas J. Williams, died.

"Through determination and the cooperation of witnesses, new leads emerged: Thomas J. Williams, now deceased, had confessed to Grayam's murder, his guilt echoing from beyond the grave," said the sheriff's office in a statement posted on Facebook.

As per Sheriff Flowers, the two witnesses did not know each other, however, both said that they had waited for William's death because they considered him to be a threat to them and their families.

(With inputs from agencies)