Missouri man faces charges in 1993 murder case following DNA match, authorities report

A 52-year-old man from Columbia, Missouri, identified as Dana Shepherd, has been charged with the rape and murder of 19-year-old Carmen Van Huss in Indianapolis in 1993. The arrest was made after Shepherd’s DNA matched evidence found at the crime scene and on the victim’s body, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department reported. Shepherd faces charges of murder, felony murder, and rape in connection with the case.

Shepherd was apprehended in Missouri and is currently held without bond at Boone County Jail. An extradition hearing is scheduled to take place in the following days to transfer him to Indiana for legal proceedings. As of now, there is no listed attorney who can represent Shepherd.

Deputy Chief Kendale Adams of the Indianapolis police expressed hope that Shepherd’s arrest would provide some solace to Van Huss’ family after more than 30 years of seeking answers. Carmen Van Huss was discovered dead in her Indianapolis apartment in 1993 by her father, who alerted authorities when she failed to report to work. An autopsy revealed that she had been sexually assaulted and fatally stabbed 61 times.

Despite the presence of DNA evidence on the victim’s body and blood traces on a paper bag at the crime scene, the case remained unsolved for decades. It was not until 2018 when a DNA sample obtained from the crime scene was submitted to a specialized company for analysis. Last year, utilizing genetic genealogy analysis, detectives identified Shepherd as a suspect. Subsequently, DNA collected from Shepherd in February matched the evidence recovered from Van Huss and the crime scene.

Investigators disclosed that both Van Huss and Shepherd were residents of the same apartment complex at the time of the brutal crime.