On March 23, 1993, 19-year-old Carmen Van Huss was found murdered inside her apartment at the Turtle Creek Apartments on the northwest side of Indianapolis, Indiana. For 30 minutes, neighbors heard her screaming for help. No one called 911. For more than three decades, her family waited for answers while the case grew cold. Then one investigator refused to let it stay that way. In this episode, Ashley Flowers and Brit Prawat revisit the murder of Carmen Van Huss and the extraordinary investigation that finally identified her killer more than 30 years later through investigative genetic genealogy. You’ll hear what happened inside Carmen’s apartment on March 23, 1993, the early investigation and the evidence left behind at the scene, why detectives believed Carmen knew her attacker, how decades-old DNA evidence finally transformed the case, the determination of IMPD Captain Bill Carter, who pursued the investigation for years, and the stunning resolution that brought long-awaited accountability for Carmen’s family This episode also explores the breakthroughs made possible by modern DNA technology, how investigative genetic genealogy reshaped the investigation, the plea agreement that resolved the case after more than three decades, and the creation of Carmen’s Law, landmark Indiana legislation expanding access to advanced DNA testing in cold cases After living free for more than 30 years, Dana Shepherd pleaded guilty in January 2026 to Carmen Van Huss’s murder and was sentenced to 45 years in the Indiana Department of Correction. While many questions about what happened that night remain unanswered, Carmen’s family finally received the justice they had been fighting for since 1993. -------- Follow Crime Junkie: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crimejunkiepodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CrimeJunkiePodcast/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/CrimeJunkiePod Crime Junkie is created and hosted by Ashley Flowers. About Ashley Flowers Ashley Flowers is the top female podcaster in the U.S. and the host of Crime Junkie, the #1 podcast among women and the #1 true crime podcast globally. As the Founder of Audiochuck, she has built a top-tier podcast production company that has garnered over 2.6 billion downloads, captivating audiences with its gripping storytelling through 10+ chart topping podcasts. Ashley and her team are dedicated to creating responsible true crime content that respects victims and their families. Are you a part of Ashley's Summer Watch Challenge? If you're watching with friends, text "FRIENDS" to 317-733-7485 to stamp your bingo card. Not apart of Ashley's challenge and want to join? Text "WATCH IT" to 317-733-7485 to join! Follow Ashley: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ASHLEYFLOWERS/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/ash_flowers TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ashleyflowerscrimejunkie Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashleyflowers.af/ Check out these other great crime channels: @kallmekris Craziest Birthday NIGHTMARES...With Updates https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noWG5gj7Sd8 @annieelise Taylor Parker & Netflix's 'Maternal Instinct': We Have The Unreleased Footage Netflix COULDN’T Get https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeEULkCeve0 @KendallRae Groomed Online By Roblox Predator & Lured From Her Home: The Devastating Case Of Hailey Buzbee https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYzpxmnf5E0 @bellafiori The Case of Steven Clayton https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25KmwaTbaFI