Man Sentenced 45 Years For 1993 Indianapolis Killing

Dana Jermaine Shepherd pleaded guilty to the rape and murder of 19-year-old Carmen Van Huss after genetic genealogy led police to him.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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After more than 30 years, a Marion County judge sentenced Dana Jermaine Shepherd, 54, to 45 years in prison for the 1993 rape and murder of 19-year-old Carmen Van Huss in Indianapolis. Investigators were able to crack the cold case through advanced DNA analysis and genetic genealogy, leading to Shepherd's arrest in 2024.

Why it matters

This case highlights the power of new forensic technologies like genetic genealogy in solving long-dormant cold cases, providing closure for victims' families after decades of waiting. It also underscores the challenges of sentencing for crimes committed under older laws, as the judge noted the punishment had to follow the sentencing rules in place at the time of the 1993 killing.

The details

On March 24, 1993, Van Huss was found fatally wounded in her northside Indianapolis apartment, having been raped and stabbed 61 times. The case went unsolved for over 30 years until evidence was sent to Parabon for DNA analysis in 2018, and detectives worked new genealogical leads in 2023. Traditional lab testing in 2024 confirmed a DNA match, leading to Shepherd's arrest in Missouri. Shepherd pleaded guilty to one count of murder under a plea agreement that set his term at 45 years.

  • On March 24, 1993, Van Huss was found fatally wounded in her northside Indianapolis apartment.
  • In 2018, evidence was sent to Parabon for DNA analysis.
  • In 2023, detectives worked new genealogical leads.
  • In 2024, traditional lab testing confirmed a DNA match, leading to Shepherd's arrest.
  • On February 13, 2026, Shepherd was sentenced to 45 years in prison.

The players

Dana Jermaine Shepherd

A 54-year-old man who pleaded guilty to the 1993 rape and murder of Carmen Van Huss.

Carmen Van Huss

A 19-year-old woman who was raped and murdered in her Indianapolis apartment in 1993.

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What they’re saying

“She was taken from me when I was a freshman in high school.”

— Jimmy Van Huss, Brother of Carmen Van Huss (People)

What’s next

Shepherd is expected to be transferred to the Indiana Department of Correction to begin serving his 45-year sentence.

The takeaway

This case demonstrates the power of modern forensic techniques like genetic genealogy in solving long-dormant cold cases, providing closure for victims' families after decades of waiting. However, it also highlights the challenges of sentencing for crimes committed under older laws, as the judge had to follow the sentencing rules in place at the time of the 1993 killing.