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The Indiana Slasher is the name given to Thomas Edward Williams, a man responsible for a gruesome incident that took place in the state of Indiana in 1975. He kidnapped three young girls, Kathie Rottler, her sister Sheri Rottler, and their friend, Kandice Smith. He assaulted them and abandoned them in a cornfield. This crime went unresolved for almost five decades and left an unforgettable mark on the lives of the victims and their families.
Advanced DNA testing and genealogical research in 2023 identified Williams and connected him to the crime. Investigators traced DNA from evidence at the crime scene and matched it to samples from his children. Although Williams died in 1983 while serving time for another crime in Texas, the breakthrough finally provided answers that had long been awaited.
The story will be revisited in People Magazine Investigates in an episode titled The Indiana Slasher, airing on December 30, 2024, on Investigation Discovery. The episode explores the horrifying events, the survivors’ resilience, and the investigation that brought closure to one of Indiana's most haunting cold cases.
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The Indiana Slasher was traced with the help of his children
The Indiana Slasher case, unsolved for nearly 50 years, saw a breakthrough in 2018 when survivor Kathie Rottler contacted retired detective Sgt. David Ellison. The case was reopened, and DNA evidence collected in 1975 was reexamined.
Investigators identified an unknown male DNA profile from multiple pieces of evidence. However, there were no matches in national databases, keeping the case at a standstill.
In 2023, private lab DNA Labs International used investigative genetic genealogy to analyze the DNA. By working through public genealogy websites, they built a family tree and found a match leading to the children of Thomas Edward Williams. Williams’ children agreed to provide DNA samples, which confirmed him as the attacker.
Though Williams had died in 1983 while serving a prison sentence for an unrelated crime in Texas, this development brought long-awaited answers. The identification was bittersweet for the survivors, as they had endured decades of unanswered questions.
At a press conference, Kathie expressed her relief, saying:
“We finally know the truth, and that is a comfort.”
What was the whole case, and how did it affect the lives of the victims?
On August 19, 1975, three girls—Sheri Rottler and Kathie Rottler, along with Kandice Smith—were hitchhiking home in Indianapolis when a man offered them a ride. He pulled a gun on them, drove to a secluded cornfield, and subjected them to horrific violence.
He tied up Kathie and Kandice, assaulted Sheri, and stabbed all three, leaving them for dead. Miraculously, Sheri and Kathie escaped and flagged down help, while Kandice was found alive at the scene.
The attack left lasting scars on their lives. They endured physical injuries, emotional trauma, and decades of uncertainty as the case went cold. Despite the passage of time, they never gave up seeking justice.
The Indiana Slasher will be available to watch on December 30, 2024, on Investigation Discovery and Prime Video. Stay tuned for more news and updates on People Magazine Investigates's new episodes.
