BECKLEY, W.Va. — Authorities said a California inmate has been indicted in the shooting of a West Virginia school teacher whose body was found the night before her wedding in 1981.
Earl James Robbins, 64, was charged Tuesday with first-degree murder in the death of 27-year-old Cynthia Miller, news outlets reported.
Raleigh County Prosecutor Kristen Keller said investigators believe Robbins shot and killed Miller on Aug. 26, 1981, the day before she was set to marry Lester Police officer Gary O’Neal, who has since died.
Beckley Police Sgt. Morgan Bragg said Robbins was interviewed after the shooting but further details on that conversation and Robbins’ involvement won’t be released before trial.
Keller said the cold-case investigation also led to another indictment against Robbins, charging him with an October 1980 kidnapping and first-degree sexual assault of a child.
Keller said witnesses led to other witnesses, which is how authorities came in contact with the victim.
“The investigation is like following a spider web,” Keller said.
It’s unclear whether the two cases are connected.
Robbins is incarcerated at Valley State Prison in California. He’s serving consecutive sentences for kidnapping and raping a woman who was acting as his real estate agent and personal assistant in Beaumont, Calif., and for beating his brother-in-law with a hammer.
An extradition hearing will be held at a later date.
It’s unclear whether Robbins has an attorney to comment on his behalf.
