ronda blaylock was just 14 years old in 1980 when she was found stabbed to death and brutally assaulted .
this after she and a friend had taken a ride home from a man after school in rural hall , north carolina .
town is some wholesome it was used as a model for mayberry in ` the andy griffith show '
her friend was dropped off but ronda was never seen again .
the man , now likely in his late fifties , has never been found .
now police say that new dna evidence as well as testimony from key witnesses has them close to solving the case .
surry county sheriff graham atkinson said in a press conference on monday the man still lives in the area and they are close to finding him .