Bruce Mendenhall, previously sentenced for two murders, was recently convicted in Indiana for the murder of Carma Purpura, last seen at a truck stop in 2007. The case was pivotal due to an investigator connecting Mendenhall to similar murders across several states. At 73, he awaits sentencing and faces more trials in Alabama, and is a suspect in additional killings. Prosecutors praised a dedicated detective for ensuring justice was served for victims and their families through persistent cross-state investigations.
The prosecution in Ms. Purpura's homicide case credited a now-retired police investigator from Nashville, about 300 miles away, with connecting Mr. Mendenhall to the killing.
Investigators described Mr. Mendenhall as a long-haul truck driver who was living in Illinois at the time of a sadistic spree in which he preyed on victims from the cab of his 18-wheeler near highways in several states.
Mr. Mendenhall was behind the wheel of a yellow 18-wheeler that resembled a truck in a surveillance video taken near where Ms. Hulbert's body had been dumped.
This case broke due to a hard-working detective who was dedicated to working across state lines to ensure that justice was achieved for the victims and their families.
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