Man Convicted In 3 Killings Charged In '88 Slaying

BOSTON (CBS) - A 25-year-old murder mystery has apparently been solved, thanks to some dogged police work and a witness, who finally developed a conscience.

In 1988, 32-year-old Gayle Botelho left her Fall River apartment "just for a minute." She was never heard from again.

But in 2000, information came to police from prison, that led them to Botelho's remains, buried not fifty yards from her apartment.

Now, police have charged Daniel Tavares with the murder."The case was cold, until seven months ago, " said Bristol County District Attorney Sam Sutter.

Tavares was convicted in 1991 of stabbing his own mother to death and sent to MCI Cedar Junction.

But when Botelho disappeared, he lived across the street.

Today, Tavares is in prison in Washington, for the 2007 murder of a young couple there.

But a witness to Botelho's murder has had a change of heart, and has apparently pointed an accusing finger at Tavares.

"Yes, this witness has developed a conscience," said State Police Lt. Detective William Andrade, "and that is often the case in instances like this and it has helped us greatly in solving this cold case."