Fort Payne police say they have solved a 23-year-old murder case.

Investigators say they believe Larry Dyar killed 25-year-old Mark Allen Phillips in 1986 in an act of revenge. Dyar died of cancer in 2008.

Investigators originally believed the murder was drug related, but found new information in 2004 that led them to suspect Dyar.

Police Commissioner Ron Ogletree said Dyar shot Phillips for allegedly raping a 16-year-old girl in 1979 who later became Dyar’s wife.

District Attorney Mike O’Dell said investigators learned that Dyer, after becoming intoxicated, confessed to killing Phillips on numerous occasions. He said there was never enough corroboration to prosecute Dyar.

Ft. Payne Times – Journal / WEIS