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

A brutal crime from 1993 finally saw justice 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. This case was solved using advanced DNA technology that matched the suspect's DNA to his relatives' DNA in a database. Carmen was just 19 when she was attacked in her apartment. She was stabbed 61 times, and her father found her body in a pool of blood. The crime scene showed signs of a struggle, with furniture knocked over and items scattered around. The violence of the crime left a lasting impact on her family. Shepherd was 20 at the time of the murder but wasn't considered a suspect initially. It wasn't until 2023 that police learned he lived in the same apartment complex as Carmen. In 2013, the suspect's DNA was uploaded to a national database, but it didn't match anyone. Then, in 2018, police used a new method called forensic genetic genealogy. This method compares unknown DNA to the DNA of family members who have voluntarily submitted their DNA to a database.In 2023, this method led police to Shepherd. When they confronted him with the DNA evidence, he was visibly shaken. Testing confirmed his involvement in the crime. Shepherd was arrested in 2024 in Columbia, where he was working at the University of Missouri. He was then extradited to Indiana to face charges. Shepherd had a criminal history before and after the murder. He had been charged with battery and public intoxication in Indiana. After the murder, he was also charged in Missouri with theft, disturbing the peace, and driving without a license. Despite his criminal past, he managed to live a relatively normal life for decades after the murder. The Van Huss family expressed mixed feelings about the plea deal that led to Shepherd's sentencing. They stated that while they wished for a different outcome, they were grateful that the man responsible for Carmen's brutal murder was finally held accountable. They also expressed their gratitude that the truth had come to light and that justice had been served, even after 33 years.