GREAT FALLS, S.C. -- Police are hoping that a large billboard will attract enough attention and dig up clues that could lead to the person or persons responsible for the murder of a Chester County woman.
Last November, someone kicked in a side door to Alfreda Hinson’s Great Falls home and used a shotgun to kill the woman who co-owned the Little Convenience store. At the time, it looked like a robbery. But now many in the small town--including the Chester County Sheriff’s Department and the victim’s brother--don’t think so.
“She had money in her purse,” said Robert Wertz, outside his home. “I don’t feel that it was a robbery. I don’t feel that it was an attempted robbery. The way it was made to look.”
In January, Alfreda’s husband, Larry, was arrested for filing a false insurance claim. He has told police that some items, including jewelry, were missing after his wife’s murder. But police issued search warrants and found some of the items Hinson said were stolen inside one of his properties.
He was arrested and released on $50,000 bond. He has not gone to trial.
Robert Wertz said he doesn’t know who killed his sister but he said he believes more than one person was involved in her murder. He also wishes his brother-in-law would help more to catch his sister’s killer.
“It kind of pushes me away from him, as far as being able to support him like I’d like to,” Wertz said. “I can’t help but wonder why he running from the cameras or the police. Or not cooperating anymore.”
Now Crimestopper’s is getting involved. A large billboard, which is less than a few hundred feet from the store Hinson’s husband owns, will announce a $1,000 reward for information which leads to an arrest.
For Wertz, maybe then he’ll be able to get some sleep, after getting some answers.
“We feel like there are some answers out there in the community but we don’t know how to get them. Maybe the sign will lead to an arrest,” Wertz said.
