HANOVER, Ind. — A man from Butler County is charged with the murder of a mother from Indiana, an act that allegedly involved an elaborate attempt to mislead investigators. The case took a dramatic turn when DNA evidence led police to uncover the truth.
Marsha Robertson, the sister of the victim Wilma Robertson, described the emotional toll of her sister’s death. “It’s been devastating. I feel broken,” she said, reflecting on the more than two weeks since she last heard from Wilma. Marsha cherished her sister, calling her a hero, best friend, and unwavering protector.
Wilma, 41, was reported missing when she did not arrive at work on April 14. Concerned, Marsha contacted authorities, who subsequently discovered Wilma’s body at her home in Hanover. According to the Jefferson County prosecutor, she had been brutally stabbed.
“Her children were her entire world,” Marsha added, grieving the profound loss of a woman dedicated to motherhood. A suspect was initially apprehended the day after Wilma’s murder, leading to charges against a man from Louisville. However, as investigations progressed, authorities identified Nigel Thomas from Oxford as the true perpetrator.
Prosecutors allege that Thomas fabricated social media accounts under the name of the arrested man, sending messages to Wilma’s family that falsely confessed to the crime. The man was later exonerated when DNA evidence excluded him as a suspect. Thomas was ultimately arrested and charged with Wilma’s murder; family members revealed he had previously been in a relationship with Wilma.
As her family gathers to remember her, they reflect on happier moments. “Wilma was always in a good mood and had a great sense of humor,” her cousin, Kimberly Danner, recalled.
Marsha continues to grapple with the senselessness of losing her sister. “I just don’t understand why someone would do this. Wilma was one of the kindest people I know,” she said, echoing the confusion and sorrow that surround this tragedy.
The family has initiated a fundraiser to honor Wilma’s memory and help with expenses during this difficult time, as they seek to find solace in the shared love for a woman who meant so much to them.