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The discovery of the “Lady of the Dunes” in Cape Cod’s Race Point Dunes in 1974 sent shockwaves through Provincetown, Massachusetts. For nearly five decades, her identity remained a haunting enigma. But in October 2022, investigators finally identified her as Ruth Marie Terry, with her husband, Guy Muldavin, named as her killer. This is the eerie tale of her life, death, and the pursuit of justice.
The Horrifying Discovery
On July 26, 1974, 12-year-old Leslie Metcalfe stumbled upon a gruesome sight while hiking with her family in the dunes. Drawn by a barking dog, she found the nude and mutilated body of a woman lying on a beach towel. Her head rested on a pair of jeans, but her hands were missing, making identification impossible.
Investigators determined the woman had been bludgeoned, nearly decapitated, and possibly strangled. She was described as a white female, aged 20 to 40, with auburn hair and pink-painted nails. Her dental work, worth about $10,000, was dubbed “New York style.” Despite these clues, her identity eluded investigators, and she became known as the “Lady of the Dunes.”
Decades of Theories
Over the years, numerous theories emerged:
- Rory Gene Kesinger: A fugitive drug dealer who bore a resemblance to the victim, later ruled out by DNA.
- Whitey Bulger: The infamous mobster known for mutilating his victims, but no evidence linked him to the crime.
- Hadden Clark: A confessed killer, though his confession was deemed unreliable due to schizophrenia.
- Jaws Extra Theory: Joe Hill, son of Stephen King, speculated the victim appeared as an extra in Jaws, filmed nearby. However, this theory lacked concrete evidence.
Despite exhumations and advancements in forensic technology, the case remained unsolved for decades.
Breakthrough: Ruth Marie Terry Identified
In 2022, investigative genealogy provided a breakthrough. By tracing familial DNA, the FBI identified the “Lady of the Dunes” as Ruth Marie Terry, a 37-year-old Tennessee native. Terry’s family had long sought answers, with her nephew recalling vivid memories of her “auburn hair” and “big smile.”
Unmasking the Killer: Guy Muldavin
Investigators quickly uncovered that Terry had recently married Guy Muldavin. After their wedding, the couple visited Terry’s family in Tennessee before continuing their travels. However, Muldavin returned alone, claiming they had argued, and he had not seen her since. Suspiciously, he told others that his wife had died.
Muldavin, who passed away in 2002, had a dark history. He was a suspect in a 1950s double homicide and the 1960 disappearance of his wife and stepdaughter in Seattle. Though police found human remains in a septic tank linked to Muldavin, they couldn’t tie him to the crime at the time.
A Case Finally Solved
“Based on the investigation into the death of Ms. Terry, it has been determined that Mr. Muldavin was responsible for her murder in 1974,” prosecutors stated.
The identification of Ruth Marie Terry brought closure to a case that had haunted Provincetown for decades. While she will forever be remembered as the “Lady of the Dunes,” her family now holds onto the memory of her smile and spirit. This resolution serves as a reminder of the power of modern forensic technology and the relentless pursuit of justice.
