Decades after a double homicide case in Western Massachusetts went cold, an unexpected tip has led to an arrest, officials announced Wednesday.

The man wanted in a 1978 double murder in West Springfield has been arrested thanks to a tip that led to new revelations in the cold case, according to Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni.

A fingerprint has led to the arrest of a Florida man in connection with a double murder in western Massachusetts from almost 50 years ago.

Nearly 46 years after a young couple was found shot to death at a Massachusetts rest stop, investigators say they now believe they know who is responsible for their murders.

An autopsy determined the cause of death for each victim was multiple gunshot wounds. Over the years, the print that was found was entered into the Massachusetts Automated Fingerprint Identification System (or AFIS) and manually compared to approximately 70,000 known fingerprint cards.

Authorities say they're one step closer to solving a decades-long cold case. Timothy Scott Joley, 71, has been arrested for the 1978 murders of Theresa Marcoux, 18, and Mark Harnish, 20.

Authorities in Massachusetts said a 71-year-old man has been arrested and charged with murdering two people nearly 46 years ago, bringing a close to the cold case.

Timothy Joley, 71, is facing charges over the deaths of Theresa Marcoux, 18, and Mark Harnish, 20, nearly 46 years ago