Current:Home > InvestMissouri man charged in 1993 slaying of woman after his DNA matched evidence, police say -EquityExchange
Missouri man charged in 1993 slaying of woman after his DNA matched evidence, police say
View
Date:2025-04-15 15:33:11
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — A Missouri man has been charged in the 1993 rape and slaying of a young Indianapolis woman after his DNA matched evidence found at the crime scene and on the victim’s body, authorities said.
Dana Shepherd, 52, of Columbia, Missouri, was arrested Friday in Missouri on murder, felony murder and rape charges in 19-year-old Carmen Van Huss’ killing, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department said.
Shepherd was being held without bond Wednesday at Missouri’s Boone County Jail, and an extradition hearing is to be held in the coming days, the police department said in a news release.
Online Indiana court records did not list an attorney who could speak on Shepherd’s behalf Wednesday.
Deputy Chief Kendale Adams of the police department’s criminal investigations division said Tuesday in a statement that he hopes Shepherd’s arrest brings Van Huss’ family “some measure of peace.”
“For 31 years, the family of Carmen Van Huss has been searching for answers and justice,” he added.
Van Huss’ father found her dead in her Indianapolis apartment in March 1993 after she failed to show up for work. An autopsy found she had been raped and was stabbed 61 times, according to court records.
DNA evidence was found on her body and blood was found on a paper bag in her apartment, but the case eventually went cold, police said.
In 2018, the department submitted a sample of DNA found at the scene to a specialty company. Last year, detectives used that company’s genetic genealogy analysis to identify Shepherd as a suspect. They then collected DNA from Shepherd in February and found that it matched that found on Van Huss’ body and the paper bag.
Investigators said Van Huss and Shepherd lived at the same apartment complex at the time she was slain.
veryGood! (74)
Related
- US wholesale inflation accelerated in November in sign that some price pressures remain elevated
- A truck-bus collision in northern South Africa leaves 20 dead, most of them miners going to work
- The Red Cross: Badly needed food, medicine shipped to Azerbaijan’s breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region
- The UAW held talks with GM and Ford over the weekend but the strike persists
- House passes bill to add 66 new federal judgeships, but prospects murky after Biden veto threat
- Billy Miller, 'Young and the Restless,' 'General Hospital' soap star, dies at 43
- Colts rookie QB Anthony Richardson knocked out of game vs. Texans with concussion
- Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise's Daughter Bella Celebrates the End of Summer With Rare Selfie
- Tree trimmer dead after getting caught in wood chipper at Florida town hall
- 'American Fiction' takes Toronto Film Festival's top prize, boosting Oscar chances
Ranking
- Stamford Road collision sends motorcyclist flying; driver arrested
- What Detroit automakers have to give the UAW to get a deal, according to experts
- Want to retire in 2024? Here are 3 ways to know if you are ready
- 2 adults, 2 children found shot to death in suburban Chicago home
- 'Most Whopper
- 14-year-old arrested in fatal shooting in Florida
- Russell Brand accused of sexual assault, emotional abuse; comedian denies allegations
- UAW president Shawn Fain says 21% pay hike offered by Chrysler parent Stellantis is a no-go
Recommendation
Nearly half of US teens are online ‘constantly,’ Pew report finds
Turkey’s President Erdogan and Elon Musk discuss establishing a Tesla car factory in Turkey
'It's too dangerous!' Massive mako shark stranded on Florida beach saved by swimmers
Is avocado oil good for you? Everything you need to know about this trendy oil.
Trump wants to turn the clock on daylight saving time
Man trapped in vehicle rescued by strangers in New Hampshire woods
Man trapped in vehicle rescued by strangers in New Hampshire woods
Want to retire in 2024? Here are 3 ways to know if you are ready