This Cold Case Led to a New Indiana Law #carmenvanhuss #crimejunkies #truecrimeshorts #podcast

Carmen's murder didn't just solve a cold Carmen's murder didn't just solve a cold case, it changed Indiana law. When case, it changed Indiana law. When case, it changed Indiana law. When 19-year-old Carmen Van Huss was murdered 19-year-old Carmen Van Huss was murdered 19-year-old Carmen Van Huss was murdered in Indianapolis in 1993, police in Indianapolis in 1993, police in Indianapolis in 1993, police collected evidence they hoped would one collected evidence they hoped would one collected evidence they hoped would one day identify her killer. But that day day identify her killer. But that day day identify her killer. But that day never seemed to come. Years turned into never seemed to come. Years turned into never seemed to come. Years turned into decades. Then, 31 years later, genetic decades. Then, 31 years later, genetic decades. Then, 31 years later, genetic genealogy finally led investigators to genealogy finally led investigators to genealogy finally led investigators to Dana Shepherd, who ultimately pleaded Dana Shepherd, who ultimately pleaded Dana Shepherd, who ultimately pleaded guilty to Carmen's murder. For decades, guilty to Carmen's murder. For decades, guilty to Carmen's murder. For decades, advanced DNA testing wasn't easily advanced DNA testing wasn't easily advanced DNA testing wasn't easily available to families fighting for available to families fighting for available to families fighting for answers. And Carmen's family realized answers. And Carmen's family realized answers. And Carmen's family realized something heartbreaking. If one something heartbreaking. If one something heartbreaking. If one detective hadn't refused to give up, if detective hadn't refused to give up, if detective hadn't refused to give up, if DNA technology hadn't advanced, if DNA technology hadn't advanced, if DNA technology hadn't advanced, if private funding hadn't stepped in in private funding hadn't stepped in in private funding hadn't stepped in in Carmen's case, it might still be Carmen's case, it might still be Carmen's case, it might still be unsolved today. So, Carmen's sister unsolved today. So, Carmen's sister unsolved today. So, Carmen's sister fought to change that. She worked with fought to change that. She worked with fought to change that. She worked with Indiana lawmakers to create Carmen's Indiana lawmakers to create Carmen's Indiana lawmakers to create Carmen's Law. And today, Carmen's Law creates a Law. And today, Carmen's Law creates a Law. And today, Carmen's Law creates a pathway for funding advanced DNA testing pathway for funding advanced DNA testing pathway for funding advanced DNA testing in Indiana cold cases. Meaning families in Indiana cold cases. Meaning families in Indiana cold cases. Meaning families who were once told, "There's nothing who were once told, "There's nothing who were once told, "There's nothing more we can do." may finally get another more we can do." may finally get another more we can do." may finally get another chance in their search for justice. chance in their search for justice. chance in their search for justice. Carmen's Law doesn't guarantee every Carmen's Law doesn't guarantee every Carmen's Law doesn't guarantee every case will be solved, but it helps ensure case will be solved, but it helps ensure case will be solved, but it helps ensure that more families get the chance.