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In 1975, a murderer, who was later known as the Indiana Slasher, disappeared with the terror and mystery he had brought that haunted the survivors for decades. A horrific crime in Indiana left an indelible mark on the community. Three young girls, Kathie Rottler, her sister Sheri, and their friend Kandice Smith were abducted, assaulted, and left for dead in a remote cornfield.
Even with the resilience of the survivors, the case went cold as leads faded, making justice unattainable. Almost 50 years later, People Magazine Investigates revisits this chilling case in an episode called The Indiana Slasher.
The episode details how advances in forensic science and genealogy finally identified the attacker, Thomas Edward Williams, through DNA evidence. It includes interviews with survivors as well as retired investigators recalling their long journeys over the years to achieve closure and justice.
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The episode will premiere on December 30, 2024 on Investigation Discovery, bringing a spotlight onto a chilling crime in the quest for answers.
How the victims survived, and 4 other chilling details about The Indiana Slasher
1. When Kathie Rottler, Sheri Rottler, and Kandice Smith were abducted
On August 19, 1975, Kathie Rottler, Sheri Rottler, and Kandice Smith were hitchhiking when a man at the gas station offered them a ride. They soon realized something was wrong as the man drove past their destination.
Attempts to escape were thwarted when they noticed the car’s interior door handles were missing. The man brandished a gun, forcing them into a terrifying ordeal that would change their lives forever.
2. Facing assault and brutality of the Indiana Slasher
The attacker stopped in a remote cornfield in Greenfield, Indiana, where he assaulted and stabbed the girls. Sheri, only 11 years old, was subjected to a brutal attack. Kathie and Kandice were also stabbed multiple times.
The girls, bleeding and injured, played dead to avoid further violence. Their survival under such horrifying circumstances is a testament to their strength and quick thinking.
3. Desperate escape for survival
Despite their severe injuries, Kathie and Kandice managed to crawl out of the cornfield and flag down help on a nearby highway. Sheri was later found alive in the field, defying the odds.
Their bravery and determination to survive ensured they could recount the horrific events, offering vital details that would eventually play a crucial role in reopening the case decades later.
4. The case went cold despite the evidence
The initial investigation failed to identify the attacker despite evidence such as a rope and cigarette butt found at the scene. Composite sketches and leads were pursued, but no arrests were made, and the case was shelved.
For years, the survivors felt abandoned, with no closure for the unimaginable trauma they endured. The community was left haunted by the unresolved case.
5. Breakthrough after decades
In 2023, DNA evidence from the scene was analyzed using genealogy technology, leading to the identification of Thomas Edward Williams (Indiana Slasher) as the attacker. Williams, who had died in 1983, was finally revealed as the perpetrator.
This long-awaited breakthrough brought closure to the survivors.
The Indiana Slasher will be available to watch on December 30, 2024, on Investigation Discovery.
