Mastermind behind brutal murder of Indiana girl in 1992 released from prison

A Southern Indiana woman convicted for her role in the brutal murder of a child was released from prison on Kentucky parole early Thursday morning.Melinda Loveless, 43, was one of the four women convicted in the 1992 attack of 12-year-old Shanda Sharer. Loveless was 17 at the time of murder.Investigators said Sharer was kidnapped, raped, beaten with a tire iron then burned alive. Her body was discovered on the side of the road in Madison, Indiana.Officials say Loveless was the one who facilitated the murder.Loveless was sentenced to 60 years in prison. The three other women who were involved have also been released from prison. Hope Rippey was released in 2006, after serving 14 years, Toni Lawrence was sentenced to 20 years but was released in 2000 and Laurie Tackett was released in 2018.

A Southern Indiana woman convicted for her role in the brutal murder of a child was released from prison on Kentucky parole early Thursday morning.

Melinda Loveless, 43, was one of the four women convicted in the 1992 attack of 12-year-old Shanda Sharer. Loveless was 17 at the time of murder.


Investigators said Sharer was kidnapped, raped, beaten with a tire iron then burned alive. Her body was discovered on the side of the road in Madison, Indiana.

Officials say Loveless was the one who facilitated the murder.

Loveless was sentenced to 60 years in prison.

The three other women who were involved have also been released from prison. Hope Rippey was released in 2006, after serving 14 years, Toni Lawrence was sentenced to 20 years but was released in 2000 and Laurie Tackett was released in 2018.