Melinda Beverly Lindsey, 23, was fatally shot on January 16, 2015, in her home near Valparaiso, Indiana. Her husband, Steven Lindsey, initially told investigators an intruder had broken in, choked him unconscious, and killed Melinda; investigators found no evidence of forced entry and suspicion focused on him. Prosecutors said Steven Lindsey, then 35, murdered his wife because he feared she would leave him.

Investigators uncovered a possible financial motive: a $1.1 million life insurance policy had been taken out on Melinda, and Steven moved to file a claim after her death. The couple reportedly had financial problems and had argued about Melinda’s wish to return to a previous job. After the shooting, Steven had Melinda’s body cremated against her family’s wishes and had her two dogs euthanized.

Steven Lindsey was arrested and charged with murder. The first trial in November 2015 ended with a hung jury; at a retrial in March 2016 a jury convicted him and in April 2016 he received a 55-year sentence.