Helen Benefiel, 65, and her husband Francis Benefiel, 66, were found murdered in their Marion, Indiana home on August 3, 1993. The attack came during a home invasion that left both seniors fatally shot and shook their community.

Police investigation focused on 35-year-old Charles E. Barker, identified as the former boyfriend of the Benefiels’ granddaughter, Candice Benefiel. The case narrative ties the motive to Barker’s volatile relationship with Candice and his desire to see their one-year-old daughter; Barker reportedly had a history of violence toward Candice and faced pending assault charges at the time. After the shootings Barker abducted Candice and the child and fled to Tennessee, where law enforcement later apprehended him.

Barker was charged with two counts of murder plus kidnapping, confinement and burglary. A jury convicted him in 1996 and recommended death; that sentence was later overturned on appeal. In December 2005 Barker pleaded guilty to the murders and received life without parole.

If anyone knew Helen or Francis, or remembers anything about that August 1993 invasion, please share what you know.