DETROIT – It was a crime that left a family in Detroit devastated and without answers fore more than 20 years.
Winfred and Joseph Ayres were found dead April 26, 1987, in their home on Bentler Street in Detroit.
Winfred, 62, had just recovered from breast cancer and Joseph,65, who had survived the attack at Pearl Harbor, had worked at Chrysler.
Their son, Lou, said the couple had been days away from leaving the city before they were killed.
Rodriguez Rayford, 51, is now charged with breaking into the couple's home and killing them.
Read: Rod Meloni's blog on Ayres case
Investigators said he was linked to the crime through DNA that came from a blood sample that had been left behind at a broken window at the couple's home.
He's already serving time in the Carson City Correctional Facility on breaking and entering and felony firearms charges.
"Because of him, they missing knowing seven of their great grandchildren, graduations, weddings, so much more," said granddaughter Sharon Kwolek. "I can not put into words the pain, suffering and anger that our family experienced all because of this man's decision."