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A man convicted of the brutal rape, stabbing, and murder of a 19-year-old woman in Indianapolis over three decades ago has been handed a 45-year prison sentence, bringing closure to a longstanding cold case.
Dana Shepherd, now 53, received his sentence on Friday after agreeing to a plea deal the previous month. He confessed to the murder of Carmen Van Huss, a crime that had remained unsolved for years, as reported by local media.
“No amount of time can truly heal the profound loss that Carmen’s family has suffered,” stated Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears. “However, securing a murder conviction after more than 30 years offers a sense of justice. We hope this resolution provides some peace to her family after decades of uncertainty.”
The tragic incident occurred in 1993 when Van Huss was just 19. She was raped and stabbed 61 times by an intruder who broke into her apartment, according to FOX 59.
Van Huss’ father discovered her lifeless body, described by police as lying in a substantial pool of blood. Authorities noted signs of a violent struggle, with furniture overturned and items strewn about.
More than 30 years after the killing, Missouri police arrested Shepherd and extradited him to Indianapolis to face charges of murder and rape with deadly force, the outlet said.
Shepherd — who was 20 years old at the time of the murder — wasn’t connected to the investigation until DNA testing tied him to the case.
Shepherd was arrested in August 2024 in Columbia, Missouri, and after being extradited to Indianapolis, was scheduled to go to trial next week until a plea agreement was filed Tuesday, where Shepherd admitted to the murder charge. The additional charges were dismissed.
FOX 59 reported that Shepherd had a criminal history in Indiana before committing the murder, including charges for battery and public intoxication. After 1993, he was also charged in Missouri with stealing, disturbing the peace and driving without a license.
The Van Huss family released a statement reacting to the sentencing.
“While this plea deal was not our first choice, we are grateful that after 33 years the man responsible for Carmen’s brutal rape and murder is finally being held accountable,” the family stated.
“For decades, the perpetrator was able to live a normal life after taking that right away from Carmen and from our family. Nothing can undo that loss or erase the injustice of him living freely for so long, but we are thankful that the truth has finally come to light and that he has not escaped justice.”