Barbara Opel

Barbara Marie Opel is an American woman convicted of murdering a 64-year-old man with terminal cancer in 2001. She is currently serving a life sentence, with no prospect of parole.

Murder

Opel was living with Jerry Duane Heiman, aged 64 and his 89-year-old mother, whom she cared for. In order to steal $40,000, she paid five teenagers, including her own 13-year-old daughter, to murder Heiman. Her other children, aged 7 and 11, were instructed by her to help mop up his blood.^[1] Kyle Boston, aged 14, received $220, whilst his 13-year-old cousin was paid roughly $100, for the killing. 17-year-old Jeffrey Grote was given a car.^[2]

On April 13, 2001, the five teenagers ambushed Heiman and attacked him with knives and baseball bats. He was found 8 days later, in a shallow grave, roughly ten miles from his house.

Trial

Opel denied that she wanted him dead, despite regularly telling friends "I wish he was dead".^[3] She was found guilty and was narrowly spared the death penalty, as the jury could not reach a unanimous decision.^[4] Following her conviction she was banned from any contact with her children, or being in the same prison as them.^[5] Her daughter Heather, received a 22-year prison sentence, with no possibility of parole, at the age of 14.^[6]

Kyle Boston was sentenced to 18 years, after pleading guilty to second degree murder. His unnamed cousin was tried as a juvenile and was released at the age of 21.

Jeffrey Grote (Heather Opel's boyfriend at the time of the attack), pleaded guilty to first degree murder and received a 50-year prison sentence.^[7]

Marriam Oliver received a 22-year prison sentence.

References