LOCK HAVEN — “I was told it was not wise to talk to police,” Loyd Groves’ ex-wife said Tuesday as she explained why she never talked about the day Kathy Heckel disappeared until almost 27 years later.

Kathy Groves said she sought legal advice after Heckel’s disappearance and her husband being named as a suspect, and was told it was “not wise” to speak with police. “That’s why I just answered questions, but never offered any more,” she said as she took the stand at Loyd Groves’ murder trial on Tuesday.

Kathy Groves said she followed that advice until June 2018 when she received a subpoena to appear at Loyd’s murder trial, which was then scheduled to begin with jury selection on June 18.

It was at that time she talked to another lawyer and was told any information she provided could not be used against her. She said she called state police and on June 15 was interviewed by police for the first time about the day Kathy disappeared.

“I don’t really remember it at all. It was our wedding anniversary,” she said. “Loyd brought home pizza for the kids and we went out for dinner. I don’t remember the restaurant.”

When asked about Loyd’s demeanor that evening, she said, “It seemed he had something on his mind.”

Kathy Groves said Loyd came home in the early afternoon … about 12:45 p.m., not for lunch, but to change his clothes, on July 15, 1991. “He said his clothes got messed at work,” she said, adding that he often got dirty while working at Hammermill.

“He was in and out very quickly. He was in a hurry, anxious to get back to work,” she continued.

Asked about where he put his dirty clothes that day, she responded, “He was very particular about his clothes. He had a basket. Loyd always did his own laundry. When we were first married he said he would do it himself and I was happy to let him do it.”

Kathy Groves said she first became aware of Heckel’s disappearance on July 17, 1991.

“Loyd said she was missing and he was interviewed by police. He said he thought police considered him a prime suspect and he might be arrested. He told us … the family … that’s why he was late for dinner that night … because police were interviewing him about Kathy Heckel being missing. He said to all of us that the police really consider him a prime suspect and he’d probably be arrested.”

She said Loyd was not an especially forgetful person.

“His memory was better than mine,” she said.

When asked if she knew Kathy Heckel, she said, “No, not really. We met at a Christmas party. I knew her as his co-worker.”

Kathy Groves was then given a “note” to look at.

She explained, “It was a list of things so I would know how to do things if he wasn’t here. He had household obligations and for my peace of mind… if Loyd was not around … I needed to know how to take care of these things.”

Loyd wrote down information that included changing oil, maintenance on the property, rotating tires, oil and gas for the mower and tractor, using unleaded gas in the tractor, she said. He also told her to sell the guns to Dennis Smith.

After Loyd told his wife and children he was a suspect, Kathy said, “I thought these were the directions a concerned parent would leave. Loyd was looking out for us.”

In the latter part of July, Kathy said she got a note from Loyd. It read, “I have to get away for awhile. I’ll be back tomorrow or Wednesday at the latest. Kathy, I love you. Tell the kids I’m at work.”

She said she didn’t know where Loyd went or when he came back.

At one point, Kathy Groves said Loyd told her that Kathy (Heckel) was probably off somewhere with one of her numerous boyfriends.

She said Loyd never told her that he was having an affair with Kathy Heckel and he always denied it.

Kathy and Loyd divorced in February 2016.

As Kathy Groves left the witness stand and walked from the courtroom through the main entrance, she turned her head and looked back at Loyd sitting beside his attorneys.