Pennsylvania Mom's Brutal Murder An Enduring Mystery

When David Hibbs exited the school bus on April 19, 1991, he was anxious to find his mom. It was a sunny Friday afternoon in Bristol Township, Pa. -- more importantly, it was report card day -- and the 12-year-old boy had just made the honor roll. Unfortunately, that happy moment in time proved to be short-lived. When the boy approached his house, a horror unlike any other he had ever experienced began to unfold before his eyes.

"When I got to the house, I noticed smoke coming out of a window," Hibbs told The Huffington Post. "I also saw my mom's car in the driveway, and I ran around to the back entrance, where I usually entered the house."

Hibbs pulled open the back door, which opened into the kitchen area, and found himself pushed back by a plume of thick smoke.

"There was smoke pouring out," he said. "I remember noticing that all four burners of the stove were on. I envisioned my mom cooking something, leaving the stove on, and somehow the whole house caught on fire."

[,,,]
Bilson said fire investigators initially thought Joy Hibbs was the tragic victim of a house fire. The following day, a coroner confirmed part of that theory -- her death was tragic, albeit no accident.

"The coroner advised us she died before the fire started," Bilson said. "He located five stab wounds, to her neck and chest, and there was a computer cord wrapped around her neck. At that point, it became a homicide investigation."

Unfortunately, there were few clues to be found in the home. The fire had gutted much of the interior and anything that wasn't scorched was watered down or unwittingly trampled upon by firefighters.

"There was nothing we could dust for prints or get DNA from," said Bilson. "We were literally without any physical evidence."

[,,,]
Essentially, Joy Hibbs only had one enemy -- the one who killed her -- and for more than two decades, authorities have been unable to determine just who that someone is. That, to David Hibbs, is unacceptable.

"I honestly believe they know who did it and they botched the investigation," David Hibbs, now 35, told HuffPost. "All of the detectives who worked on it retired shortly thereafter. These were cops who had put their time in and were waiting to retire. They didn't know what they were doing."

Bilson said he understands David Hibbs is angry, but does not believe there is anything more he could have done.

Anyone with information about the murder of Joy Hibbs is asked to contact the Bristol Township Police Department at (215) 788-8289.

Pennsylvania Mom's Brutal Murder An Enduring Mystery