HATCHER'S CHILD MOLESTER UNCLE DIED BEHIND BARS

The actress, 44, helped police convict pervert Richard Hayes Stone after coming forward with her own harrowing recollections of her uncle.

Hatcher told the authorities she had been subjected to Stone's sexual advances between the ages of five and seven.

It was Hatcher's statement to California investigators that gave them the ammunition they needed to put Stone behind bars for 14 years.

One of his victims was so traumatised by her contact with Stone, she committed suicide.

In 2006, Hatcher went public with her molestation nightmare, telling Vanity Fair magazine, "I was blown over by this pain. I kept thinking, 'What do I do with this information I have that no one else has?'

"(I decided) it's time for me to stop hiding. I don't want to pretend it never happened anymore."

Stone died from colon cancer at the age of 70 last year (08), but the news of his passing has only come to light this week (begs14Sep09).

And knowing Stone can no longer harm anyone else has helped the actress to close the painful chapter in her life.

A source tells the National Enquirer, "For Teri, it's the end of a nightmare that has haunted her since she was five years old.

"It must be a huge relief to her to know this man will never walk the streets again and hurt other little girls like she was hurt."