After more than 30 years, a family’s quest for justice following the unsolved murder of their beloved matriarch has finally come to an end.
The late Joy Hibbs, a mother of two, was found dead in her home in Bristol Township, Pennsylvania back in 1991. The investigation into her death revealed a brutal assault that culminated in her tragic murder, which was later covered up by a housefire.
Recently, a breakthrough was made in Joy Hibbs’ cold case murder when police arrested Robert Atkins, a convicted murderer from Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania. Atkins, born on February 6, 1966, was charged with first-degree and second-degree murder, along with seven counts of arson and two counts of robbery in connection to Joy’s homicide.
Through their investigation, law enforcement discovered that Atkins was tied to the crime scene through witness accounts of his vehicle being spotted in front of the Hibbs’ residence before the fire. It was also revealed that Atkins had a dispute with the Hibbs family over marijuana, further linking him to the crime.
After years of legal procedures, Atkins was found guilty of first-degree murder and arson, and was sentenced to life in prison without parole on February 2, 2024. Joy’s husband, Charlie Hibbs, expressed his relief at finally seeing justice served for his high school sweetheart and the mother of his children. He also emphasized the impact Atkins’ actions had on their family, stating that while their nightmare was coming to an end, his was just beginning.
The story of Joy Hibbs’ murder and the subsequent arrest and conviction of Robert Atkins will be featured in an episode of Dateline NBC titled Justice For Joy, scheduled to air on April 12, 2024, at 9 pm EST. The episode will delve into the details of the case and shed light on the long road to justice for the Hibbs family.
