After 36 years of heartbreak and unanswered questions, DNA technology finally exposed Roy Bennett — a trusted church deacon and community leader — as the killer of 20-year-old Jessica Winters, shocking the quiet West Virginia town that once saw him as a hero and proving that justice, though delayed, never truly dies.

In April 1989, Marlinton, West Virginia — a peaceful mountain town surrounded by forests and the winding Greenbrier River — was shaken to its core.

Twenty-year-old Jessica Winters, a beloved local college student known for her bright smile and passion for running, disappeared without a trace during her evening jog along the Greenbrier River Trail.

Three days later, her body was discovered in the icy waters of the river she loved, her running shoes tangled in reeds, her wristwatch still ticking.

The community mourned deeply, but no arrests were made.

The case went cold.

For over three decades, Jessica’s mother, Catherine Winters, refused to give up.

Every year, she lit a candle in the window of their family home, telling reporters, “Someone out there knows what happened to my daughter.

” The pain never left her — and neither did the mystery.

In the years following Jessica’s death, the investigation went through countless detectives, leads, and theories.

But without reliable DNA technology, the evidence was simply too fragile to make a breakthrough.

A single strand of hair, found on Jessica’s clothing, was kept sealed in a box at the state crime lab — preserved, but dormant.Until now.

Earlier this month, in what authorities called “a miracle of patience and progress,” that single strand of hair provided the answer that had eluded investigators for 36 years.

Using advanced genetic genealogy techniques — the same method that helped identify the Golden State Killer — forensic scientists matched the DNA to 67-year-old Roy Bennett, a lifelong resident of Marlinton.

Bennett wasn’t just a familiar face in town.

He was one of its pillars: the owner of the local hardware store, a Sunday school teacher, and a respected church deacon who had helped organize yearly memorial runs in Jessica’s honor.

When Bennett was arrested at his home last week, neighbors stood in disbelief.

“There’s no way it’s Roy,” said longtime resident Helen McCarthy.

“He was the one who comforted Jessica’s mother.

He prayed with us.

” But investigators say the evidence is “unmistakable. ”

According to lead detective Samuel Carter, DNA recovered from Jessica’s clothing matched Bennett’s genetic profile with over 99.

999% accuracy.

Carter said Bennett had been on their radar for years but had always maintained a spotless reputation and no prior record.

“It’s the ultimate betrayal,” Carter said in a press conference.

“The person who seemed to care the most about finding the killer was the killer himself. ”

When questioned, Bennett reportedly broke down and muttered, “It was an accident.

She screamed, and I panicked.

” Authorities have not confirmed whether he has entered a plea.

He is currently being held without bond at the Pocahontas County Jail, awaiting trial.

For Jessica’s mother, the news brought both relief and heartbreak.

“I prayed for this day,” she said through tears.

“But I never imagined it would be someone we trusted.

He held my hand at the funeral.”

The shocking arrest has left Marlinton reeling.

Churches held vigils for both Jessica and the community, grappling with the realization that a man once seen as a role model was capable of unimaginable evil.

Social media flooded with photos from the 1989 memorials — images showing Bennett standing beside Catherine, placing flowers at the site where Jessica’s body was found.

Experts say cases like this show how the evolution of forensic science continues to reshape justice, even decades later.

“Back then, one hair meant nothing,” said forensic analyst Dr.Lila Cortez.

“Today, it can rewrite history. ”

As investigators continue to search Bennett’s property and reexamine old files, rumors swirl about other unsolved disappearances in nearby counties during the early 1990s.

Authorities haven’t confirmed any additional links, but locals can’t help wondering if Jessica’s case is only part of a much darker story.

For now, one small West Virginia town is trying to heal — knowing that justice, though delayed, has finally arrived.

Catherine Winters visited her daughter’s grave the morning after the arrest.

She placed fresh daffodils by the headstone and whispered, “You can rest now, baby.

We found him.”

But for those who knew Roy Bennett, one haunting question remains:
How many more secrets does a man like that take to the grave — and how long before the rest come to light?