'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
It was in April 1991 that the Croydon section of Pennsylvania was rocked by the killing of Joy Hibbs, a 35-year-old mother of two. Dead in her house following a fire, initial suspicions were of a fatal accident, but an autopsy told a different tale. Joy had been stabbed, strangled, and battered before the fire was started to conceal the crime.
For more than 30 years, her case went unsolved, tormenting her family and the community at large. The case, characterized by initial blunders and missed opportunities, got a second lease on life through tireless campaigning and news coverage before eventually resulting in a breakthrough.
The upcoming episode of Dateline: Unforgettable, featuring Joy Hibbs's story, will air on July 10, 2025, at 8 pm ET. The episode traces the investigation's ups and downs and the emotional toll on Joy's family, providing a detailed account of the case, Joy's life, the investigation's findings, and the fate of her killer.
Trending
What happened to Joy Hibbs, and who was she?
Joy Hibbs was a 35-year-old wife and mother of two who resided in Bristol Township, Pennsylvania. She was married to her high school lover, Charlie Hibbs, and had raised their children, David and Angie, in a close-knit Croydon community, as per The Sun.
On April 19, 1991, Joy's 12-year-old son, David, came home from school early to discover their home ablaze, as per NBC. Firemen subsequently found Joy's body in David's bedroom, and at first thought to had died in the fire.
The autopsy showed, however, that she had been brutally murdered—stabbed repeatedly, strangled, and beaten—before the fire was deliberately started to cover up the crime, per The Sun.
Evidence of arson was found in the house, with fires being started in the kitchen, hallway, and David's bedroom, according to the same source. Witnesses also told of seeing a blue Chevrolet Monte Carlo outside the residence in the time frame of the killing, between 11:50 am and 12:50 pm.
Joy's wallet was jammed in the couch, her purse had been emptied, and her freshly cashed paycheck was gone, indicating a targeted and brutal crime, as per Oxygen.
Investigation and case findings
The investigation into Joy Hibbs’ murder began in 1991, but quickly stalled due to mishandled leads and overlooked evidence, per AOL. Early on, Robert Atkins, a former neighbor and small-time drug dealer, was a suspect. He owned a blue Monte Carlo, matching witness descriptions, and had a history of disputes with Joy and her husband over marijuana quality, per The Sun.
However, Atkins’ alibis were accepted, and his status as a confidential informant for the Bristol Township Police Department led to orders for detectives to “stay away” from him, hindering the probe, as per AOL. The case went cold for decades until November 2021, when a $50,000 reward offered by Joy’s family spurred renewed interest, per Bucksco.Today.
In January 2022, a Bucks County grand jury reopened the case, and testimony from Atkins’ ex-wife, April, proved pivotal. She revealed that on the day of the murder, Atkins returned home covered in blood, admitting to stabbing someone and setting their house on fire, as per Oxygen.
This, combined with re-examined evidence and witness accounts, led to Atkins’ arrest in May 2022. In February 2024, he was convicted of first-degree murder and arson after a four-day bench trial.
Where is the killer now?
Robert Atkins, aged 58 as of now, was sentenced to life imprisonment with no parole in February 2024 (and an extra 30 years for arson), for the murder of Joy Hibbs in 1991, per Bucksco.Today. He is now serving time at the State Correctional Institution at Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, as verified by the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, as per The Sun.
His guilt ended the reign of terror over a case that shadowed Joy's family for more than 30 years, although they complained about initial failures by police that delayed justice. Atkins' bid to conceal his crime by burning down the Hibbs' house was thwarted by the eventual testimony of his former wife and subsequent investigative work, meaning he will spend the remaining years of his life in prison.
Stay tuned for more news and updates.
