The terrible case of Joy Hibbs’ murder, which lasted three decades, will be covered in a future episode of People Magazine Investigates. On the afternoon of April 19, 1991, David Hibbs, 12, arrived home early from school to find his house on fire. Before neighbors or first responders could arrive, his mother, Joy, seemed to have been burned to death.
Authorities quickly determined that Joy Hibbs had been viciously assaulted, stabbed, and maybe strangled to death before the offender set fire to the residence. Arson, according to fire marshals, was also the cause of the fire. With no suspects or solid motivations, the case dragged on for nearly thirty years until the killer was apprehended. The challenging case had many ups and downs as well as twists and turns along the road. Continue reading for five quick facts about the prolific case that had officials stumped for decades.
Five brief facts concerning the murder of Joy Hibbs
1) It took officials 31 years to identify the culprit.
Though the police investigating the crime had a hunch about Robert Atkins, the lone presumed suspect, they were unable to find substantial evidence regarding the ex-confidential informant for Bristol Township Police.
Robert Atkins was apprehended 31 years after the crime, in 2022. Robert’s ex-wife, April Atkins, came forward and informed the Bristol Township Police Department that her husband reportedly returned home covered in blood and admitting to stabbing someone. According to Bucks County District Attorney Matt Weintraub,
“For the last 31 years, Atkins has been living free but on borrowed time. Today, we begin to collect from him on that time with interest.”
2) At first, investigators presumed Joy Hibbs was killed in the fire.
When the first responders came, they discovered Joy’s charred corpse in her son’s bedroom. Lt. Richard Bilson, a retired Bristol Township detective, described the situation as follows:
“She was laying face-up on a mattress made entirely of springs… Her corpse was black and burned beyond recognition. The whole room was burnt, and she resembled a mummy.”
Fire investigators first assumed Joy Hibbs died in a devastating home fire. Joy was stabbed before the home caught fire, according to a post-mortem study. She was most likely asphyxiated as well.
3) In the weeks before her death, Atkins and Joy Hibbs reportedly argued.
Charlie and Joy Hibbs were often provided with marijuana by Atkins. David Hibbs recalls his parents arguing with Atkins about marijuana in the weeks preceding her death. David stated:
“I recall my mother discussing it on the phone two weeks before it all occurred,… My father asked my mother to return the pot because he said it was just stems and seeds.”
Atkins accepted the aforementioned argument, and officials were aware of it, but considered it was too trivial an explanation for a crime of this magnitude.
4) Roberry was also a suspect in the death of Joy Hibbs.
Authorities discovered her wallet tucked in the living room sofa after the fire marshal ruled the cause of the fire to be arson. Further inquiry revealed that Joy had collected her paycheck hours before the murder. Her handbag was also discovered empty and thrown over the home, but the cash was never found. Authorities were apparently persuaded to assume that robbery was one of the motivations for the killings.
5) Atkins was accused of arson and murder on several charges.
Atkins was charged with first-degree murder, second-degree murder, seven charges of arson, and two counts of robbery after his arrest in 2022. He is being imprisoned at the Bucks County Correctional Facility right now.
