MURDERED: Carmen Van Huss
Summary
This episode details the 1993 murder of 19-year-old Carmen Van Hus in Indianapolis, whose case went cold for decades. Sergeant Bill Carter, a nuisance abatement officer, took on the investigation in his spare time, eventually using genetic genealogy to identify suspect Dana Shepard. After overcoming departmental resistance and funding hurdles, Shepard was arrested in 2024, with Carter appointed as lead detective for the upcoming trial.
Topics discussed
Introduction and the night of Carmen's murder
Discovery of the body and initial investigation
Sponsor segment: Chime
Carmen's background and early suspects
Bill Carter's cold case investigation and DNA testing
Genetic genealogy leads to Dana Shepard
Arrest, plea deal, and family reaction
Legislative changes and closing remarks
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