Retired detective still haunted by girl's murder more than half a century later

from Adam Beasley, Miami Herald staff writer

It has been 57 years since Judith Ann Roberts disappeared from her grandparents' home in The Roads, and surfaced dead in Coconut Grove a day later.

Irving Whitman was assigned the case, one that remains cold all these years later.

``It still gets to me, still haunts me,'' said Whitman, nearly 90. ``To this day, the case remains open, technically, but I am quite convinced I know who committed the crime.''

The person in question died before Whitman could close the case. Meanwhile, Roberts' slaying became international news -- and the lone blemish on Whitman's otherwise-sterling six-year stint in the Miami Police Homicide Unit.

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