Justice Delayed but Not Denied: A Killer Brought to Book 33 Years Later

A Brutal Crime from 1993 Finally Solved in 2024

A 53-year-old man, Dana Shepherd, was sentenced to 45 years in prison for the rape and murder of a young art student, Carmen Van Huss.

The Crime

• Victim: Carmen Van Huss, 19 years old
• Location: Her apartment
• Details:
• Stabbed 61 times
• Body found in a pool of blood by her father
• Crime scene showed signs of a struggle
• Furniture knocked over, items scattered

The Investigation

• Initial Suspect: Shepherd, 20 at the time, was not initially considered
• Breakthrough in 2023: Police discovered he lived in the same apartment complex as Carmen
• DNA Evidence:
• 2013: Suspect's DNA uploaded to a national database but no match
• 2018: Police used forensic genetic genealogy to compare DNA to relatives' DNA
• 2023: Method led police to Shepherd
• 2024: Arrested in Columbia, Missouri, extradited to Indiana

Shepherd's Background

• Criminal History:
• Before Murder: Charged with battery and public intoxication in Indiana
• After Murder: Charged in Missouri with theft, disturbing the peace, and driving without a license
• Lived a Normal Life: Despite his past, he evaded justice for decades

The Family's Reaction

• Mixed Feelings: About the plea deal leading to sentencing
• Gratitude: That the truth came to light and justice was served after 33 years