Saviour Mangion, 45, was jailed for life today after a jury found him guilty of the murder of Rosina Zammit, 54, who was stabbed in her home in Safi in 1984.
She had suffered 37 stab wounds.
Mangion was also convicted of burglary.
Handing down sentence, Mr Justice Joseph Galea Debono described Mr Mangion as a serial killer - he had also been convicted in 2002 for the murder in 1998 of Francis Caruana and the attempted murder of his sister Guzeppa in another burglary.
Mangion, who is already in prison, is also undergoing proceedings for the murder of Maria Stella Magrin in 1986.
He had initially admitted to the police that he stabbed Rosina Zammit, adding that he stole Lm200 (€465) from the home, which he spent later that day in Paceville.
He later pleaded not guilty, claiming he made his confession to the police after being promised cigarettes, eggs and chips.
See also
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20100623/local/man-admitted-murder-for-cigarettes-and-a-plate-of-eggs