Nun murdered while praying; crime of opportunity or something more personal? Roberta Ann Elam, also known as Robin, was about to make a big decision in her life: the time had come finally come for her to officially commit herself to religious life. At 26 years of age, Sister Robin was known as a pre-novitiate candidate. She was well-loved by her friends and family, and her fellow nuns at Mt. St. Joseph's in Wheeling, West Virginia.
Reports describe a very vibrant young woman.
They mention a brilliant, gregarious young woman who drove an orange sports car, jogged and hiked, wrote poetry about the mountains that soared above them, and laughed as often as possible. Roberta was the oldest of four children, who grew up in Minnesota and Illinois and attended graduate school at Fordham University in New York.
The day she was raped and murdered was a day meant for final reflection. She was reportedly praying at a bench at the top of a hill near the motherhouse for Mt. St. Joseph when she was reportedly attacked from behind. She was dragged into a wooded area only 30 feet away, but out of view from any observers at the nearby convent or golf course that the hill overlooked.
Though several suspects were investigated, none were charged. Her case remains unsolved to this day.
