Sisters survived a brutal attack, now they finally know their attacker's name

Indiana police have named Thomas Edward Williams as the man who abducted and stabbed three girls nearly 48 years ago. The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department revealed the news on Thursday, providing resolution to a case that has troubled the community for years.

On August 19, 1975, Kandice Smith, then 13; Sheri Rottler Trick, 11; and Kathie Rottler, 14, were hitchhiking when Williams picked them up. According to a press conference, investigator David Ellison, the girls were taken in a white vehicle from a gas station, where they had bought some items. Williams offered them a ride, directing them to sit in the front seat.

As they passed their intended destination, Kathie Rottler raised concerns, prompting Williams to speed up. When the girls attempted to stop the car, they found the vehicle's door did not have a handle. At this point, Williams threatened them with a gun, forcing them to comply with his demands.

Williams drove the girls to a cornfield where he bound and sexually assaulted one of them. He then stabbed the girls multiple times before leaving them for dead. The survivors played dead to avoid further attack, a decision that likely saved their lives, according to Ellison.

Kandice Smith and Kathie Rottler managed to escape the cornfield and reach a nearby road, where they were rescued. Despite being able to provide a composite sketch of the attacker, the case went cold shortly after the incident.

The case was reopened in 2018 with the help of forensic genealogy and DNA technology. Investigators connected DNA found at the scene to Williams using a sample from his daughter. This discovery identified Williams, who had died in a Texas prison in 1983 at age 49.

The news was shared during a press conference that the three survivors attended. They thanked their rescuers and law enforcement for their unyielding pursuit of justice. Rottler, who persistently kept the case alive, expressed her relief and gratitude.

"Not giving up hope was worth the wait," Rottler said, as reported by IndyStar. She remarked on the value of patience, saying, "I've learned that sometimes answers take decades.”

This announcement has given closure to the survivors and the community, ending a chapter of long-lasting pain and uncertainty. Although Williams passed away before he could face justice for this crime, the identification offers a sense of closure to those affected.

The determination of the victims and progress in forensic science were key to solving this case. Identifying Williams is a testament to the power of hope and relentless efforts to achieve justice for victims and their loved ones.