Where is ‘Daniel Zerbe’ now in Wilma Schwartz Murder? Let’s find out. In March of last year, a Tennessee man pleaded not guilty to the murder of an Indiana woman in Paulding County. Daniel Zerbe, 44, pleaded not guilty to the charge of murder during his arraignment this week, according to the Paulding County Progress. A million-dollar bail is being held for Zerbe. Zerbe allegedly killed his girlfriend, Wilma Schwartz, 44, of Indiana, according to the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office. Her corpse was discovered in an empty home just outside of Antwerp, near the Ohio state border, but police suspect Zerbe shot Schwartz in her car and then dumped her in the unoccupied house.
A loving mother’s body was discovered in a yard near Antwerp, Ohio, in March 2016. Wilma Schwartz, who had been missing for a few days, was identified as the victim. ‘The Murder Tapes: Body in the Yard,’ a documentary on Investigation Discovery, focuses on how authorities tracked down the perpetrator using a combination of evidence and witness interviews. So if you’re interested in learning more, we’ve got you covered.
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What Caused Wilma Schwartz’s Death?
Wilma A. Schwartz was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and raised her family there. She grew up in an Amish community, according to family members. The 44-year-old had a son, Benjamin, with her partner, Daniel Zerbe, at the time. Wilma and Benjamin were close, so it was uncommon when she didn’t drop by to pick up her son from school. On March 9, 2016, a neighbour reported Wilma missing.
On March 14, 2016, about 10:40 a.m., construction workers arriving at a home in Antwerp made a shocking find. After discovering Wilma’s death in the yard, they dialled 911. Authorities arrived shortly after, noting that she had been the victim of a homicide. Wilma was hit in the head by a bullet that passed through her fingers. She appeared to have been murdered somewhere else and thrown in the yard.
Who Killed Wilma Schwartz and Why?
Wilma Schwartz’s hand-wound was determined to be a defensive injury. However, the murder weapon was confirmed when officials discovered a 9mm bullet between her clothes and the back of her neck. The detectives investigated into Wilma’s personal life at this point, and according to the episode, they discovered that her relationship with her boyfriend, Daniel Zerbe, was rocky. Daniel had previously been arrested on meth-related charges, while both had some criminal background.
The cops then went out to locate Wilma’s vehicle. It was discovered two days later abandoned in a company parking lot in Markle, Indiana. There was a gold mine of evidence in the vehicle. The passenger seat had red streaks on it that looked like blood. Similarly, a pair of gloves appeared to be stained with blood. A spent shell casing was also collected and forwarded for analysis by the authorities.
According to the show, surveillance footage revealed that Daniel had left the car and was with another woman called Lisa King. Daniel’s brother, LeRoy, later picked them up and said he put them off at a hotel in Auburn, Indiana.
Daniel was also observed buying cleaning products at a neighbourhood store, according to the show. Authorities suspect he killed Wilma in the car, dropped her body in Antwerp, and then attempted to clean up before abandoning it.
Daniel was in possession of a 9mm handgun when he was detained on unrelated charges, and it was later sent for analysis. It was determined to be the murder weapon, tying Wilma’s death to her boyfriend. In addition, on March 9, 2016, one of the smartphones found in the car rang the towers near where the body was discovered.
The phone’s owner, however, could not be identified. Lisa then cooperated with the authorities, and allegations of tampering with evidence against her were dropped, according to the episode.
What Happened to Daniel Zerbe and Where Is He Now?
Daniel Zerbe, then 44 years old, pled guilty to the murder of Wilma Schwartz in November 2017. The gun requirement was dropped as part of the plea agreement. With credit for time served, he was sentenced to 15 years to life in jail.
During the hearing, Daniel expressed regret, saying, “I’m just sorry for everything that happened.” Wilma was one of my favourites.” He is still detained at Chillicothe Correction Institution in Ross County, Ohio, according to prison records. In 2032, Daniel will be eligible for parole.
Stream full episode ‘The Murder Tapes: Body in the Yard’ on Youtube TV.
