Police appeal to public to help solve cold case

It’s been nearly a decade since a 79-year old grandmother was found murdered in her apartment on Rebecca St.

Thelma Clapham’s family and Hamilton police say someone out there knows who did it, and they are appealing for the public’s help in solving this case.

It’s been 10 years since Greg and Ione Clapham lost the heart of their family.

“She was my best friend and growing up I could tell her anything.”

“My mother was the central parent, very important in all of our celebrations and support and she was always there for us.”

Thelma Clapham was a fun loving mother of five who was known to break out into a dance. Her kids say she was kind and compassionate but was also brutally honest.

“If you didn’t want to know if you had nice hair, you didn’t ask,” laughs her daughter Ione.

On December 2, 2004 Thelma’s body was found in her 9th floor apartment at 226 Rebecca Street.

“Mrs. Clapham failed to show up to a regular bus outing to the grocery store and tenants became concerned and attended her apartment. They noticed several newspapers on the door, and brought concerns to the superintendent who called police,” says Detective Greg Rodzoniak.

At the same time Greg Clapham was also becoming concerned about his mom. He’d left her several messages that were not returned.

“The last one was ‘Ok mom I don’t know if your screwing up the answering machine or what, but I’m on my way to see you, if you’re there, stay there.'”

What Greg didn’t know was that police were already in his mothers apartment and had heard that message. They met him at the door.

“Thank goodness I didn’t walk in and find her,” he says.

Although her body was found on December 2nd, police believe she was murdered sometime between November 30th and December 2nd.

An autopsy shows she died of blunt force trauma. Investigators have talked to as many as 200 people in this case.

“The interviews conducted resulted in a small group of persons of interest being established,” says Rodzoniak.

None of them could be eliminated, but no one has been charged. One person is of particular interest.

“It’s believed a female is involved, maybe not on her own but it’s still a viable theory.”

The apartment wasn’t ransacked but some cash was stolen. Police have not been able to establish a motive.

Her kids say they just want answers.

“It’s always on my mind, every time I hear about a murder or a murder is solved it immediately comes flooding back and I think one day, maybe we will know.”

“You might be out fishing and it pops into your mind. It never goes away.”

Thelma’s husband died last week without ever knowing what happened to his wife.