Shivangi Sinha
In January 1992, hunters near Madison, Indiana, discovered the partially burned remains of a young girl and immediately alerted authorities. The victim was soon identified as Shanda Sharer, who had been reported missing earlier that day by her parents. The news devastated her family, who were overwhelmed by the horror of the violence inflicted on their daughter. Investigation Discovery’s ‘Mean Girl Murders’ episode titled ‘Girl in the Hoods’ recounts the disturbing case and the eventual arrests of the multiple perpetrators involved.
Shanda Sharer Had Changed Schools Just Before She Went Missing
On June 6, 1979, Stephen Sharer and Jacque Vaught welcomed their daughter, Shanda R. Sharer, into the world. She was their greatest joy, and they raised her with deep love and care. Even after their separation, both parents remained committed to ensuring Shanda maintained strong relationships with each of them. After her mother remarried, Shanda moved to Louisville, Kentucky, where she spent much of her early childhood. Bright, outgoing, and well-liked, she excelled in academics, played sports, and was part of the cheerleading team. Following another divorce, Jacque relocated with Shanda to New Albany, Indiana, in June 1991. There, Shanda enrolled at Hazelwood Middle School.
Shanda was a friendly and outgoing girl who loved making new friends, but her time in school wasn’t always easy. Concerned about her well-being, her mother decided it would be better for her to attend Our Lady of Perpetual Help School in town. Shanda began classes there in early 1992 and quickly seemed to thrive. She even earned a spot on the girls’ basketball team. On January 10, 1992, she was staying at her father’s home in Jeffersonville, Indiana, where they spent the evening watching TV together. But the next morning, when he woke up, his daughter was gone. Alarmed, he called Jacque, who began reaching out to Shanda’s friends only to learn that no one had seen her.
Shanda had left behind her purse and outdoor shoes, making it unlikely that she had simply walked away on her own. By 2 pm on January 11, her parents filed a missing person report. That evening, around 8 pm, police contacted them with the news that partially burned remains had been discovered near a field close to the forest in Madison, Indiana. Using DNA and dental records, authorities confirmed the body was Shanda’s. The cause of death was determined to be death by burning, indicating she was still alive when set on fire. Her body also showed multiple signs of torture.
Shanda Sharer’s Killer Was Driven by Personal Jealousy
Later in the evening on January 11, 1992, Toni Lawrence arrived at the police station with her parents and revealed that she had information about the murder, which she described to investigators. She claimed that the entire plan had been orchestrated by a girl named Melinda Loveless, a student at Hazelwood Middle School. Melinda had been in a turbulent relationship with another girl, Amanda Heavrin, since 1990. The two frequently argued, and tensions worsened when Shanda joined the school and began spending time with Amanda. Melinda became increasingly jealous and upset over their growing closeness. In fact, she had already confronted Shanda at a school dance in October 1991, where the two got into a physical altercation.
In fact, Shanda had been deeply affected by the confrontation, and because her parents disapproved of her spending so much time with kids older than her, they transferred her to a different school. Around this time, Melinda began speaking openly about wanting to kill Shanda. After befriending Mary Laurine “Laurie” Tackett of Madison High School, the two allegedly began encouraging each other, and the plan took shape. Laurie then brought in Hope Rippey and Toni Lawrence. On January 10, 1992, Laurie told them they were going to kill a girl. That night, the four girls got into a car and drove to Shanda’s father’s house shortly after dark.
The Killers Tortured Shanda Sharer For Hours Before Setting Her on Fire
It was Toni Lawrence and Hope Rippey who first knocked on Shanda Sharer’s door. Following Melinda Loveless’ instructions, they introduced themselves as Amanda’s friends and told her that the latter was waiting in the car and wanted to talk. Shanda said she couldn’t come out yet and asked them to return after midnight. The girls went to a punk rock show by the band Sunspring, then returned around 12:30 am. This time Laurie Tackett and Hope knocked, and Shanda agreed to come. They told her Amanda was waiting at the “Witch’s Castle,” a local landmark overlooking the Ohio River. Shanda got into the car, unaware that Melinda was hiding under a blanket in the back seat.
Hope began questioning Shanda about her relationship with Amanda when Melinda suddenly emerged from the back seat holding a knife and pressed it to Shanda’s throat. They drove around with Shanda for hours, during which they tortured and beat her. Later, they wrapped her in a red blanket and placed her in the car trunk. Realizing she was still alive, they purchased gasoline in two plastic soda bottles, took her to a remote field, and Melinda doused her with it before setting her on fire. Toni later stated that they went for breakfast afterward and that Melinda allegedly told Amanda about what had happened, warning her not to tell anyone.
Melinda Loveless is a Free Woman Today
Melinda Loveless, due to the severity of her crimes, was tried as an adult. Initially, she blamed Laurie Tackett for orchestrating the murder, but when faced with the death penalty, she accepted a plea deal. In January 1993, she pleaded guilty to murder, arson, and criminal confinement and received a 60-year sentence. During her trial, allegations of physical and sexual abuse by her father emerged, and her defense argued she was also a victim. In October 2007, her legal team sought post-conviction relief, claiming she hadn’t received adequate counsel and her traumatic upbringing had not been given consideration. The request was denied in 2008, though appeals continued.
In 2012, Shanda Sharer’s mother, Jacque Vaught, contacted Melinda through the Indiana Canine Assistance Network (ICAN) and gave her a dog named Angel to train in Shanda’s honor. Melinda remained involved in the program for years. On September 5, 2019, she was released from the Indiana Women’s Prison. Reports suggest she changed her name and now lives a low-profile life and is most likely still in Indiana.
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