After remaining unsolved for over three decades, the murder of Joy Hibbs is now featured on “Dateline NBC,” writes Jo Ciavaglia for Bucks County Courier Times.  

Hibbs, a married mother of two, was killed in her Bristol Township home on a Friday afternoon in 1991, and the crime scene was subsequently set ablaze to destroy evidence.  

The cold case finally saw a breakthrough when a Bucks County grand jury, convened in 2022, identified Robert Atkins, a former neighbor, as the perpetrator within just five months. 

The grand jury’s recommendation to charge Atkins followed the reopening of the case in late 2021, spurred by a $50,000 reward offered by Hibbs’ family for information leading to an arrest.  

This reinvigoration of the case drew significant media attention and led to the long-awaited trial.  

Earlier this year, Atkins was convicted on charges of first-degree murder and arson, and sentenced to life without the possibility of parole, plus an additional 30 years. 

“Dateline NBC” has sent a production crew to cover the four-day bench trial, capturing the culmination of years of investigation and the emotional impact on Hibbs’ family and community.  

The episode, aired on Friday, April 12th at 9 PM, delves into the intricacies of the case and the recent judicial proceedings that finally brought justice for Joy Hibbs. 

Read more about the cold case surrounding Joy Hibbs and the Dateline episode on Bucks County Courier Times.  

Robert Atkins Charged In 1991 Cold Case Murder Of Joy Hibbs In Bucks County

Editor’s Note: This post first appeared on BUCKSCO Today in April 2024.