Man charged in 13-year-old cold case murder goes before judge

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. - The family of a Gwinnett County mother of two who was murdered 13 years ago says they never gave up hope that her killer would be found.

Billy Cook, 51, is accused of a 13-year-old cold case murder in Gwinnett County. The trucking company owner made his first court appearance Friday morning, the day after police charged him with murder.

Cook stood before a Gwinnett County Magistrate Judge at the Gwinnett County Jail who told him he was charged with murder.

On Thursday, Gwinnett County police charged Cook with the 2005 murder of 40-year-old Leslie Adams.

Police said the mother of two vanished just days after seeking a restraining order against Cook, who was her former boyfriend.

Adam's family talked to FOX 5's Aungelique Proctor Friday.

“Of course our family is very happy that an arrest of Billy has been made because we always knew that it was him. Even though this was 13 years ago, it feels like it was a few hours ago. We never stopped hoping God would prevail in this situation and he did,” Adam's cousin Alayne Adams said, rejoicing.

Searchers discovered the remains of Adams in 2007 near Interstate 85 in Franklin County.

At Friday morning’s hearing, Cook told the magistrate judge he has an attorney. Defense Attorney Keith Adams told FOX 5 News Cook is innocent.

The judge told Cook he will have a committal hearing on Wednesday, Oct. 17 at 1:30 p.m.

RELATED: Police: Arrest made in cold-case murder of Gwinnett County mother