Bombshell arrest in cold-case killing of California mom Helen Terry found stabbed next to an overflowing bathtub while her baby crawled on the floor nearby

A bomb has been set up in the 1980 cold case murder of a 27-year-old California mother, 44 years after her brutal death.

Helen Terry had been stabbed thirteen times and left for dead on the bathroom floor of her apartment building at the Orangewood West Apartments in Sacramento – while her six-month-old son crawled through the bloody crime scene.

The suspect, Robert Lee Terry, now 81, was arrested last Friday and charged with Terry’s murder.

He faces one count of murder and is being held in the Sacramento County Main Jail without bail.

He is due back in court on October 17 for a bail hearing.

The suspect, Robert Lee Terry, now 81, was arrested last Friday and charged with Terry’s murder after 44 years. His next court hearing is scheduled for October 17

John Mays, Helen’s brother, spoke of what a “loving, kind” person his sister was and said he was still in disbelief that something so terrible could happen to his sibling.

‘We had suspicions, but we couldn’t really do anything about it. When it came to us, it was a big relief – like something we knew all along but could never prove,” Mays told locals. ABC10 News.

Mays was in the courtroom as his sister’s killer sat stone-faced.

“We’ve been wondering about this since day one, and this is the first bit of hope we’ve had since then and we’re going to make the most of it,” he told local ABC News10.

John Mays, Helen’s brother, shared what a “loving, kind” person his sister was and said he was still in disbelief that something so terrible could happen to his sibling.

Helen Terry’s family finally has closure and justice after more than forty years

Helen’s adult son Eric, now 44, has not yet come forward after his mother’s killer was finally caught after more than forty years.

Sacramento police said the case was reopened in 2016 as part of a cold case initiative. DNA recovered from blood at the crime scene matched suspect Robert Terry. SF port reported.

Robert was charged after new information was discovered that provided the necessary evidence to charge him with Helen’s murder.

It remains unclear whether Helen and Robert Terry were married.

Police said Eric is believed to be Robert’s biological child, although he denied taking a paternity test.

A police officer stands outside Helen Terry’s apartment complex on Wyndham Drive in Sacramento

Sacramento police were called when a resident called the manager about a water leak coming from an apartment. Once inside, the manager made the creepy discovery

Police assess the crime scene during the August 1980 murder

When the young mother was brutally murdered on August 28, 1980, she had filed a paternity suit against Robert and asked for child support.

Before the murder, a neighbor reported seeing a man banging on the door of Terry’s apartment. A loud commotion ensued, including sounds of ‘shuffling and shouting.’

The neighbor, who feared for her own safety, said at the time that she did not have her own phone to call the police, the news station said.

Another resident complained of water leaking through the ceiling and when the manager entered the apartment he made the gruesome discovery.

Helen’s gruesome death made headlines in the Sacramento Bee. The newspaper clipping shows a Sacramento police officer walking as a piece of the bathroom door has been removed from the apartment where Terry was killed.

The racist comments written on the door were muzzled in the news clipping.

Officials said there were bloodstains throughout the apartment and furniture lying around, indicating the victim had fought with her attacker.

There was also a racial slur on the makeup mirror. A $2,500 reward was offered, but the case ultimately stalled after detectives were unable to find any tangible clues.

A newspaper clipping of a Sacramento police officer removing the bathroom door from the apartment where Terry was murdered. The racist comments written on the wall were muzzled in the news clipping

The Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office Cold Case, Science and Technology Unit resumed the investigation and worked with the Sacramento Police Department to reopen the case.

“The Sacramento Police Department remains committed to justice for victims of violent crime, regardless of how much time has passed,” they said in a statement.

“We would like to thank everyone involved in this ongoing investigation for their dedication and perseverance in solving this case.”