Who was sentenced for the 1993 murder of Carmen Van Huss?

Dana Shepherd, 53, was sentenced to 45 years in prison for the murder of Carmen Van Huss.

How was the 1993 Indianapolis cold case solved?

The 1993 cold case was solved more than 30 years later when DNA evidence linked Dana Shepherd to the crime.

What was the sentence for the killer of Carmen Van Huss?

Dana Shepherd received a sentence of 45 years in prison after pleading guilty to the murder.

Home / Crime and Justice / Cold Case Cracked: 30-Year-Old Murder Solved by DNA

Cold Case Cracked: 30-Year-Old Murder Solved by DNA

15 Feb

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Summary

Killer sentenced 33 years after rape and murder of 19-year-old victim.
DNA evidence finally linked suspect to the 1993 Indianapolis slaying.
Suspect pleaded guilty, ending a decades-long wait for justice.

Cold Case Cracked: 30-Year-Old Murder Solved by DNA

After more than three decades, justice has been served in the brutal 1993 murder of Carmen Van Huss. Dana Shepherd, 53, was sentenced to 45 years in prison on Friday, February 15, 2026, following a plea agreement. Shepherd admitted to the murder charge, which involved the rape and stabbing of the 19-year-old victim in her Indianapolis apartment.

The case remained unsolved for over 30 years until advancements in DNA technology provided the crucial link. Police arrested Shepherd in Columbia, Missouri, in August 2024 and extradited him to Indianapolis. He was scheduled for trial before entering his plea this week, resolving a case that deeply impacted Van Huss's family.