A long-unsolved cold case murder in Indianapolis has seen a breakthrough, with police arresting a suspect after more than 30 years.

According to Daily Mail Online, DNA evidence and genetic genealogy led to the apprehension of a former neighbor in the 1993 killing of 19-year-old Carmen Van Huss.

Dana Shepherd, 51, was taken into custody last week in Missouri, where he had been working as a university custodian. He faces charges of murder, felony murder, and rape in connection with Van Huss's death. The arrest comes after decades of investigation and recent advancements in DNA technology that allowed detectives to finally identify a suspect.

Brutal Crime Scene And Initial Investigation

Carmen Van Huss, an art student, was found dead in her Indianapolis apartment in March 1993. Her father made the gruesome discovery after she failed to show up for work at Pizza Hut. The crime scene revealed signs of a violent struggle, with Van Huss's body bearing 61 stab wounds.

Investigators collected DNA evidence from the scene but did not match any profiles in law enforcement databases at the time. The case went cold despite extensive interviews and hundreds of leads pursued by police in the immediate aftermath of the murder.

For years, the Van Huss family lived without answers or justice for Carmen's brutal killing. The case remained one of Indianapolis's most notorious unsolved murders, haunting both the community and the detectives assigned to it.

Genetic Genealogy Breakthrough

The turning point in the case came with advancements in DNA technology and the emergence of genetic genealogy as an investigative tool. In 2018, police submitted DNA evidence from the crime scene to Parabon NanoLabs, a company specializing in DNA phenotyping and forensic genetic genealogy.

Through this process, investigators were able to identify a distant relative of Dana Shepherd, who had voluntarily submitted DNA to a genetic database. This partial match led detectives to focus on Shepherd, who had been Van Huss's neighbor at the time of the murder.

In February 2024, police obtained a warrant to collect DNA directly from Shepherd. According to the affidavit, Shepherd was "visibly shaking" when officers arrived to execute the warrant, perhaps realizing the implications of the DNA test.

Jimmy Van Huss Jr., Carmen's brother, spoke about the impact of the breakthrough:

There's a lot of people that missed Carmen all these years. For my dad to have to find his daughter after what was brutally done to her makes this day bittersweet. I wish he was here to see it.

Arrest And Ongoing Legal Proceedings

The DNA sample collected from Shepherd in February returned a positive match to the crime scene evidence in June. Armed with this crucial piece of evidence, police arrested Shepherd at his home in Columbia, Missouri, last week.

Shepherd appeared via video call in a Boone County courtroom on Wednesday, where a judge denied his application for bail. An extradition hearing is scheduled for September 26 to determine when Shepherd will be transferred back to Indiana to face charges.

Deputy Chief Kendale Adams of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department expressed hope that the arrest would bring some closure to the Van Huss family:

For 31 years, the family of Carmen Van Huss has been searching for answers. We remain dedicated to bringing justice to all victims and will continue to pursue every lead, no matter how much time has passed.

Implications For Cold Case Investigations

The progress in Carmen Van Huss's case showcases the growing impact of genetic genealogy in solving cold cases. This method has recently helped close many long-standing criminal investigations across the U.S.

Jimmy Van Huss Jr. stressed the need to use these advanced tools in other unresolved cases, expressing a desire for DNA genealogy to be applied more widely. He also called for a formal process, such as a bill or law, in Carmen's memory to ensure other cases receive the same attention.

The successful use of genetic genealogy in this case may encourage law enforcement agencies to revisit other cold cases with preserved DNA evidence. It also raises questions about privacy and the use of public DNA databases for criminal investigations.

Why This Story Matters

The resolution of Carmen Van Huss's murder is a testament to the resilience of her family, the dedication of law enforcement, and the evolving precision of forensic science. This case renews hope for other families waiting for closure and underscores the potential for justice, regardless of time passed.

Carmen Van Huss’s story, from the shocking details of her murder to the eventual arrest of her neighbor, Dana Shepherd, through the vein of genetic genealogy, marks a profound moment in crime-solving history. The passage from despair to resolute action highlights the pain and determination woven throughout her family's long wait for answers.