The identification of a killer in the nearly 50-year-old 'Lady of the Dunes' case marks a significant development in one of the oldest cold cases in Massachusetts. The victim, Ruth Marie Terry, was 37 years old when her mutilated body was discovered on a Cape Cod beach in 1974. For decades, the identity of her killer remained a mystery, shrouded in the sands of time.

Ruth Marie Terry's case was particularly haunting due to the gruesome nature of her demise and the lack of leads. Her body was found in the dunes of Provincetown, Massachusetts, with severe mutilation that made her unrecognizable. This brutal act not only took a life but also left a family in enduring agony and a community in fear.

The breakthrough came when prosecutors announced that the killer was none other than Terry's husband, Guy Muldavin, who passed away in 2002. This revelation brought a bitter closure to a case that had long been a source of speculation and mystery. Muldavin's involvement was finally established through a combination of forensic advancements and diligent investigative work, demonstrating the enduring commitment of law enforcement to solving even the coldest of cases.

The identification of Muldavin as the perpetrator sheds light on the tragic end of Ruth Marie Terry's life. It also raises questions about their relationship and the circumstances that led to such a heinous act. The reasons behind Muldavin's actions may never be fully understood, especially given his death two decades ago.

Muldavin, who died in 2002, was also a prime suspect in the disappearance of a previous wife and his stepdaughter in the Seattle area in the 1960s, prosecutors said.