Category: 1981

Just the Facts: Hilma Marie Witte

Hilma Marie Witte, post-conviction for the murder of Elaine.

Name: Hilma Marie Witte

Aliases: Hilma Marie Crist, Marie Witte

Born: April 20, 1948 – Pittsburgh


Claim to Infamy: Not only did Hilma Marie coerce her two impressionable teenage sons to murder for her, but the victims were their close family members. Then, as if that weren’t macabre enough, she convinced the boys- as well as her own mother – and a young associate to assist in the grisly disposal of the second victim’s body.


The horror began in Beverly Shores on September 1, 1981. Hilma wanted to be a widow who would inherit her husband’s estate rather than a working single mother, and she got her wish. At her behest, elder son Eric shot his abusive father, Paul, as he slept.

After what everyone – including police – believed to have been an unfortunate firearm accident, Paul’s stepmother Elaine generously welcomed the remaining family members into her nearby Trail Creek home. Unfortunately for Elaine, Hilma Marie wasn’t content for long and soon set her sights on the elderly woman’s life savings. When Eric refused to kill for her again, Hilma convinced her younger son, Butch, to do the dirty work. 16-year-old Butch killed his grandmother with a crossbow in January of 1984. Hilma decided it would be unwise to attempt to persuade police that the family had suffered a second deadly accident and that they should dismember the body instead. Using various instruments – including a hammer, chisel, deep fat fryer, saw, and microwave – the family then dismembered Elaine and disposed of her body in various ghastly ways.


Current Status: Both Eric and Butch pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and were released early in 1996 due to good behavior. Butch has since passed away, but Eric has expressed great remorse for his crimes.

Hilma’s mother, Margaret “Marcie” O’Donnell was sentenced to 6 years. She, too, died after serving time for her crimes.

Hilma Marie Witte was convicted of two counts of murder, conspiracy to murder, and attempt to murder. She is currently serving time in the Indiana Women’s Prison. According to the Department of Correction, her earliest possible release date is April 2027.

Cold Case: Desperately Seeking Dabbs

The FBI is searching for a fugitive who has evaded justice for decades, and they’re asking the public for help. Although the murder case Andrew P. Dabbs is wanted for occurred in Massachusettes, he has ties to Indiana, and authorities believe someone in the state could possess information about the suspect. A $20,000 reward is available for any tips leading to his current whereabouts.

Dabbs allegedly shot his girlfriend Robin Shea with a .45 revolver then pushed her body out of his car while driving through Norton, Massachusettes in 1981. A passerby found the woman’s body, and Dabbs was indicted a month later. Apparently, he’s been able to avoid arrest ever since. His last known address was in New Hampshire, but he also has connections to Massachusetts, Colorado, Florida, Indiana, New York, and Pennsylvania. If still alive, Dabbs would now be 78 years old. He has brown eyes, a mole on the right side of his nose, a scar on his arm, and skin grafts on his leg. At the time of the murder, he weighed approximately 180 pounds and stood about 5’10.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call the FBI (1-800-225-5324) or contact them online @ tips.fbi.gov.