“America’s Most Wanted” Host, John Walsh has taken over a thousand of this nation’s most dangerous offenders off our streets. He has endured numerous threats against himself, his family and friends. His devotion to what’s right went far beyond his Saturday night 9 PM Eastern time. Because of his sacrifice, he had a chance to be selfish for this one day.

On December 16th, he discovered the relief closure brings. Police in Hollywood, Florida gave a news conference announcing the closing of a cold case.

John Walsh’s son, Adam, disappeared from a Hollywood mall on July 27, 1981. Fishermen found his severed head swimming in a desolate canal 120 miles away from home. His body was never found. But, his killer was.

Drifter and pedophile, Otis O’Toole, first confessed to killing Adam. He confessed to that murder and to hundreds of others. But, the criminal had an addiction to lying. He recanted his statement before dying in 1996. Just recently, his niece came forward and told John and his wife, Reve, that O’Toole gave a deathbed confession.

Unfortunately, in 1981, police had suspicions, but no convictions. They botched the investigation from the outset. Back then, there was no DNA testing. Witnesses left the area or died. The story remained a cold case for 27 years.

Nevertheless, investigators re-interviewed the leading detective (assigned to the case at that time), family members and searched through circumstantial evidence. The authorities went ahead and delivered their findings in today’s news conference. They left no time to answer questions.

John and Reve Walsh stepped to the podium and gave their tear felt “thank yous”. Years of emotional trauma, frustration, anger and sadness finally escaped them. The mystery that ate away and ate away was solved through diligent, police effort. O’Toole’s rants about other murders he committed, proved to be only rants and fiction. He kidnapped Adam Walsh. He molested Adam Walsh. He decapitated Adam Walsh. That has been proven.

In the end, O’Toole’s confession finally closed what had been an obsession to parents of a murdered child.