Amy Weidner murder: Bringing a killer to justice
In 1989, Amy Weidner attended Howe High School in Indianapolis. Her French teacher, Jody George, said, "She was just a very strong student. I think the most important thing about her was her work ethic."
Amy Weidner's Secret
Amy became pregnant, though no one knew for more than five months. Her mother, Gloria, said she hid the pregnancy in baggy sweatshirts.
Amy's Balancing Act
Amy Weidner gave birth to daughter Emily on Oct. 25, 1987, and returned to school six days later. For the next two years, Amy balanced motherhood with her studies.
Home alone
On Nov. 13, 1989, Amy Weidner wasn't feeling well and stayed home from school along with her 2-year-old daughter, Emily. Her mother, Gloria, called to check on her and got no answer. She asked a neighbor to knock on the door; still no answer.
A Mother's Worst Nightmare
Gloria Weidner returned to their Indianapolis home to find Amy dead in her bedroom; Emily was unharmed.
The Key Evidence
Amy Weidner's killer left a bloody handprint on her bedroom wall. Police later cut the section containing the print out of the wall and saved it along with other evidence, including Amy's bedding, which contained trace DNA.
Robbery Gone Wrong?
Police believed Amy Weidner's murder was a result of a robbery gone wrong. A graphic equalizer, a type of stereo equipment belonging to Amy's older brother, John Paul, and some cash were missing from the house.
Point of Entry
Detectives believed the assailant entered the Weidner home through an open back door.
The Investigation Begins
Police took hair samples and fingerprints from several neighbors and friends of Amy's brother. None were a match to the evidence from the crime scene.
A New Normal
Gloria Weidner soon adopted Emily. The little girl who had been a granddaughter and niece became a daughter and sister.
The Case Grows Cold
Years went by with no arrests. Lt. Roger Spurgeon, at the time head of IMPD cold case unit, would check into sporadic leads. "It was really difficult to figure out who the suspects might most likely be," he said. Spurgeon soon moved onto a new job.
The Facebook Connection
In 2011, a friend of Amy Weidner created a memorial page on Facebook. The cold case detective assigned to Amy's murder wasn't familiar with Facebook, and asked nuisance abatement officer Det. Sgt. William Carter to print the page.
A Fresh Look at the Case
Det. Sgt. Bill Carter had never investigated a homicide before. Intrigued by Amy's photo, he read the case file and began working to find her killer on his own time.
A New Name
A friend of the Weidners who had lived across the street suggested that Det. Sgt. Carter talk to Rodney Denk, as he had spent time at the Weidner home. Police had never spoken to Denk.
A promising lead disappears
Det. Sgt. Carter went to visit Rodney Denk, who was living with his mother. Carter set up an appointment for several days later. When Carter returned to the home, Denk was gone.
A Criminal History?
Looking to rule him out as a suspect, Det. Sgt. Carter checked to see if Rodney Denk had an arrest history and prints on file. He found a 1991 battery and a 1997 larceny.
A Match
Det. Sgt. Carter had the police Latent Prints department compare Rodney Denk's 1997 print with the bloody hand print from Amy Weidner's bedroom wall. It was a match. Carter had his man, now he just had to find him.
Suspect in Custody
Rodney Denk had rented a car equipped with OnStar, which police used to track him. Lt. Roger Spurgeon says when officers found Denk, "He made a statement, something to the effect of 'I didn't do it' and he had a knife that he cut his wrist with."
An Unusual Interrogation
Rodney Denk was taken to Wishard Hospital, where he spoke with police and admitted to the assault. "I didn't know she was in there. I was in John Paul's room, take the radio and she came around the corner and I hit her in the head," he said.
An Unlikely Hero
Det. Sgt. Bill Carter was honored at a press conference announcing the arrest of Rodney Denk. While it had been a year since he'd been asked to look at the Facebook page, he had spent just 12 days actively questioning people about the case.
Rodney Denk Behind Bars
In June 2013, shortly before the case was set to go to trial, Rodney Denk admitted to acting alone in the murder of Amy Weidner and pleaded guilty. He was sentenced to 65 years in prison.
Father-Son Connection
In a bizarre coincidence, police learned that Rodney's son, Dillon Denk, was also in prison, serving 20 years for killing his mother, and Rodney's ex-wife, Mary McHenry. McHenry had allegedly been abusive to Dillon, and he killed her when he was 16, just one year younger than Rodney was at the time of Amy Weidner's murder.
New Beginnings
Emily Weidner, now in her 20s, moved to California a year after graduating from Purdue University.
She hoped a change of scenery would provide different opportunities.
Justice for Amy
The Weidners celebrated the efforts of Sgt. Carter after Denk was sentenced. Amy's younger sister, Cassie Gardner, told Carter, "You've given us more than you'll ever be able to imagine."
Video: Remembering Amy
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