Hiram “Ross” Grayam was a decorated World War II veteran who survived the Battle of the Bulge and witnessed the liberation of two concentration camps. After the war, he returned to Indian River County, Florida, and became a beloved milkman. In 1968, Grayam was shot dead while on his delivery route, in what became known as the “Milkman Homicide.” The case remained unsolved for 56 years until Thomas J. Williams, who died in 2016, was identified as Grayam’s killer by the Indian River Sheriff’s Office. Williams had confessed to the murder, revealing his guilt even after his death.
Grayam, a Purple Heart recipient, had moved to Vero Beach with his family in the 1960s and worked as a salesman for the Borden Milk Company. On April 11, 1968, he went out to do his routes but did not return home as expected. A witness reported seeing Grayam talking to two men who eventually got into his truck and drove away with him. Grayam’s body was later found near his milk truck with bullet wounds. His son, Larry Grayam, who was 16 at the time, described the devastating impact of his father’s murder, which left the family completely shattered.
The case went cold for decades until 2006 when Larry Grayam was interviewed by a local media outlet about the case. After seeing the coverage, the alleged killer, Thomas Williams, wrote a letter to the newspaper denying his involvement in the murder. However, in 2016, Williams passed away, prompting his ex-wife and a friend of his sister to come forward with information. Both individuals stated that Williams had confessed to them about killing the milkman. This new evidence led to the reopening of the case and ultimately the identification of Williams as the perpetrator.
The sheriff’s office announced that they have leads on the second man who participated in the killing and are urging residents who may have information to come forward. The Cold Case Unit continues to pursue new leads armed with the latest technology and partnerships to ensure that victims like Grayam are not forgotten and crimes are not left unpunished. The resolution of the “Milkman Homicide” after 56 years brings closure to Grayam’s family and serves as a testament to the dedication of law enforcement in bringing justice to cold cases. The confession of Williams from beyond the grave serves as a reminder that even in death, the truth can be uncovered.
