Murder of Shanda Sharer

Murder of Shanda Sharer
Victim Shanda Sharer c. November 1991
DateJanuary 11, 1992
LocationMadison, Indiana, U.S.
Coordinates38°53′56.7″N 85°19′10.2″W / 38.899083°N 85.319500°W / 38.899083; -85.319500
TypeChild-on-child murder and torture murder by immolation, stabbing, beating, ligature strangulation, sexual assault, kidnapping, arson
MotiveRevenge against Sharer for dating Loveless' ex-girlfriend
DeathsShanda Renée Sharer, aged 12
Convicted
  • Melinda Loveless
  • Mary Laurine "Laurie" Tackett
  • Hope Anna Rippey
  • Toni Lawrence
VerdictAll four pleaded guilty
ConvictionsLoveless, Tackett, Rippey:
Murder, criminal confinement, arson
Lawrence:
Criminal confinement
SentenceLoveless and Tackett:
60 years imprisonment (Loveless released after 26 years, Tackett released after 25 years)
Rippey:
35 years imprisonment (released after 14 years)
Lawrence:
20 years imprisonment (released after 9 years)

Shanda Renee Sharer (June 6, 1979 – January 11, 1992) was an American girl who was tortured and burned to death in Madison, Indiana, by four teenage girls. She was 12 years old at the time of her murder. The crime attracted international attention due to both its brutality and the young age of the perpetrators, who were aged between 15 and 17 years old. The case was covered on national news and talk shows and has inspired several episodes of fictional crime shows.