Season 1 Episode 1: Shanda Sharer

In the premiere episode of Indiana True Crime, we examine a case that deeply impacted anyone who grew up in Indiana during the 1980s and 1990s: the tragic loss of 12-year-old Shanda Sharer in January 1992.Moving past the sensationalized headlines of the 1990s, this episode centers on who Shanda was—a vibrant, active Midwest preteen—while taking a critical look at the toxic dynamics of juvenile peer pressure, the failures of the judicial system's plea bargains, and the extraordinary legacy of advocacy and grace left behind by her mother, Jacque Vaught.Content Warning: This episode discusses severe bullying, juvenile delinquency, and murder. Out of respect for the victim and her family, explicit details of violence are intentionally excluded.Sources & Further Reading:Cruel Sacrifice by Aphrodite JonesLittle Lost Angel by Michael QuinlanOfficial Court and Indiana Department of Correction Public Records