St. Petersburg mayor says arrest in his cousin's long unsolved murder gives family closure

St. Petersburg Mayor Bill Foster said the recent arrest in his cousin's unsolved murder was "an incredible relief for the whole family."

Seminole County authorities arrested David Hedrick, 50, on Wednesday in connection with the 1991 murder of Betty Clair Foster. The mayor said Betty Clair Foster was about 50 when she died. He was just getting out of law school at the time. Despite their age difference, they were close. "She was full of life," Foster said.

The murder unsettled the family for a time, and Foster said his aunt and uncle were never the same.

"It was a horrific act that took her life," Foster said. "The idea that this person has been free for the past 20 years has been tough to swallow. It's nice knowing that he'll spend the rest of his life behind bars, or worse."

Foster said the family plans a reunion in Avon Park at the house of Betty Clair Foster's son, who is nearly 40 now. The arrest won't be something that will be celebrated at the gathering, but Foster said he's glad it happened before everyone got together.

"It's closure," he said. "I regret my aunt and uncle didn't live to see this day."