Arrest made in cold case murder, rape of 84-year-old woman: "Sweetest woman in the world"

STOCKTON, California -- After four years of not knowing, the family of 84-year-old Hazel Dingman is finally getting some answers as to who is responsible for her rape and murder.

Officials with the Stockton Police Department announced an arrest has been made in the case -- Alvin Guy, a registered sex offender with a 1991 case out of California involving a minor.

Investigators said Alvin Guy is a registered sex offender from a 1991 case out of California involving a minor.

“It's just so unbelievable,” Susan Trinchero, Hazel Dingman’s daughter said.

Dingman was well-loved, friendly and good-hearted -- and now, she's greatly missed.

“My mother was 84 years old and the sweetest woman in the world,” Trinchero said.

After four years of not knowing who killed her, Dingman’s family is finally getting some answers.

"This is a joyous, joyous day for the Dingman-Frolicker family,” Trinchero said.

The Stockton Police Department arrested Guy for murder and rape on Wednesday, April 13th in Las Vegas.

Stockton Police Chief Eric Jones said Guy lived near Dingman and went to Nevada after the killing.

Trinchero found her mother dead in July of 2012. She had been badly beaten with a cane, bound and sexually assaulted at her home on Downing Avenue in Stockton.

The violence left many, from neighbors to law enforcement officials, angry and saddened.

But through the years, police didn't forget about Hazel Dingman.

For that, her family is grateful.

“We want to give our thanks to all those people who worked on this case to make this day happen for us,” Trinchero said.

Chief Jones did not say whether Dingman and Guy knew one another.

Guy is expected to be in a Nevada courtroom on Monday, April 18th.