The name Eli Weaver sends chills through the quiet Amish community of Apple Creek, Ohio—a place where violence is nearly unheard of, yet became the backdrop for one of the most shocking murders in Amish history. The man who called himself “Amish Stud” in online chatrooms orchestrated his wife’s murder in 2009, shattering the peaceful facade of their conservative Christian community and leaving five children without a mother.
If you’re searching for Eli Weaver’s current status in 2026, here’s what you need to know: Yes, Eli Weaver is still incarcerated at Grafton Correctional Institution in Ohio. Despite becoming eligible for parole in June 2024, his request was denied. He won’t be eligible for another parole hearing until February 2032—nearly six more years behind bars.
This article provides the most comprehensive and up-to-date information on Eli Weaver’s current prison status, his denied parole, what life looks like for him behind bars, and where his accomplice Barbara Raber is today. We’ll also examine the crime that shocked America and answer the question many still ask: how could this happen in one of the most peaceful communities in the United States?
TL;DR – Quick Summary
Current Status (January 2026):
✅ Still in Prison: Grafton Correctional Institution, Ohio
❌ Parole Denied: Request denied in 2024 after becoming eligible
📅 Next Parole Hearing: February 2032
⏰ Time Served: 17 years (since September 2009)
👤 Age: 47 years old (born September 2, 1979)
🔢 Inmate Number: A573154
⚖️ Sentence: 15 years to life for complicity to commit murder
Barbara Raber (Accomplice):
- Still incarcerated at Ohio Reformatory for Women
- Serving 23 years to life for aggravated murder
- Eligible for parole in June 2032
The Crime: In June 2009, Eli Weaver conspired with his mistress Barbara Raber to murder his wife Barbara Weaver so they could be together—rather than face shunning from divorce. Raber shot Barbara Weaver in her bed while Eli established an alibi on a fishing trip.
Is Eli Weaver Still in Prison in 2026? Current Status Confirmed
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Current Status | Incarcerated |
| Facility | Grafton Correctional Institution, Grafton, Ohio |
| Inmate Number | A573154 |
| Date of Birth | September 2, 1979 (Age 47) |
| Admission Date | September 24, 2009 |
| Conviction | Complicity to Commit Murder |
| Sentence | 15 years to life |
| County of Conviction | Wayne County, Ohio |
| Years Served | 17 years and counting |
According to official records from the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, Eli Weaver remains incarcerated at Grafton Correctional Institution as of January 2026. The facility, located in Lorain County, Ohio, is an all-male minimum-to-medium-security prison that opened in 1988 with a capacity for 1,234 inmates.
Weaver has been in the Ohio correctional system since his conviction in 2009, spending the entirety of his sentence at Grafton. Prison records show he’s had a relatively incident-free record during his incarceration, with no major rule infractions documented by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction.
The prison where Eli resides offers various programs including:
- Educational opportunities ranging from adult basic literacy to bachelor’s degrees
- Career technical education and apprenticeships
- A faith-based unit
- A veterans’ unit
- A reintegration center
- Community service opportunities
Yes, Eli Weaver is confirmed to be alive and incarcerated as of 2026. At 47 years old, he continues to serve his sentence with the knowledge that his next chance at freedom won’t come until 2032—if he’s granted parole at that time.
Eli Weaver Parole Status: 2024 Denial and What Happens Next
The 2024 Parole Hearing: Denied
After serving 15 years—his minimum sentence—Eli Weaver became eligible for parole in June 2024. This was a moment many in the Amish community and Barbara Weaver’s family had been dreading. Could the man who orchestrated his wife’s murder actually walk free?
The answer came swiftly: No. Eli Weaver’s parole request was denied in 2024.
While the specific reasons for the parole board’s denial aren’t always made public, several factors likely contributed to this decision:
- Severity of the crime: The premeditated nature of Barbara Weaver’s murder
- Lack of remorse: Eli’s continued manipulative behavior even in prison
- Community opposition: Strong opposition from the victim’s family and community
- Public safety concerns: His history of manipulation and inability to follow rules
- Victim impact: Five children left without a mother, now adults bearing the trauma
When Is Eli Weaver’s Next Parole Hearing?
Eli Weaver’s next parole hearing is scheduled for February 2032—more than seven years from now. At that time, he will be 52 years old and will have served nearly 23 years behind bars.
Under Ohio law, inmates serving life sentences with parole eligibility are typically reviewed every few years after their initial denial. However, the exact timing can vary based on the nature of the crime and the parole board’s recommendations.
What Would Need to Happen for Parole Approval?
For Eli Weaver to ever gain parole, the Ohio Adult Parole Authority would need to see evidence of:
- Genuine remorse and accountability for his role in Barbara’s death
- Exemplary behavior during incarceration
- Completion of rehabilitative programs, particularly those addressing manipulation and relationship violence
- A viable release plan with housing and employment prospects
- No threat to public safety
- Consideration of victim impact statements from Barbara’s family
However, even if parole were someday granted, Eli would face an entirely different kind of prison: complete shunning from the Amish community he once called home.
As neighbor Mary Eicher noted, if Eli were released, “he would be shunned by the community.” Author Rebecca Morris, who co-wrote A Killing in Amish Country, agrees. Unlike a widower who would be embraced and supported, a convicted murderer would be permanently cast out.
Life Behind Bars: What Eli Weaver’s Prison Experience Looks Like
Prison Jobs and Daily Life
Over his 17 years of incarceration, Eli Weaver has held numerous jobs within the prison system, demonstrating his ability to adapt to institutional life—even if his motivations remain questionable. According to prison employment records, his job history includes:
- Food service worker
- Material handler
- Trash crew worker
- Plumber
- Program aide
- Reception worker
- Maintenance repair worker
- Porter (his most recent position)
- Work group leader
The fact that Eli has risen to become a work group leader suggests he’s maintained good behavior and has the ability to influence others—the same manipulative charm that once led Barbara Raber to murder for him.
Continued Manipulation: The Pen Pal Incident
Perhaps most disturbing is evidence that Eli’s predatory behavior didn’t end behind bars. According to author Rebecca Morris, at one point during his incarceration, Eli managed to have an advertisement printed in an Amish newsletter saying he was hoping to meet women as pen pals.
This brazen attempt to connect with women—from prison, while serving time for conspiring to murder his wife—reveals that Eli’s pattern of manipulation and his attraction to what’s forbidden hasn’t diminished with age or consequence.
Family Relationships: Abandoned and Ashamed
Eli’s relationship with his family tells a story of profound betrayal and severed ties:
His parents: According to Morris, Eli has written to his parents from prison, but they “have washed their hands of him.” They want nothing to do with their son, unable to reconcile the man who murdered their daughter-in-law with the child they raised.
His children: The relationship is more complex. According to Mary Eicher, who still lives in the Apple Creek area, two of Eli’s children visited him in prison “a few months ago” (as of late 2025). However, she notes, “They are very private people. They feel really ashamed of what happened, and they really don’t want to talk about it with outsiders.”
The children—now adults who were between infancy and nine years old when their mother was murdered—carry the double burden of losing their mother to violence and their father to his own evil choices.
Behavioral Record
The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction has no rule infraction documentation regarding Eli Weaver, according to official spokeswoman JoEllen Smith. This suggests he’s been a model prisoner on paper—attending programs, following rules, and avoiding disciplinary action.
However, as the pen pal incident demonstrates, the absence of official infractions doesn’t necessarily indicate genuine rehabilitation or remorse.
Barbara Raber: Where Is She Now in 2026?
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Current Status | Incarcerated |
| Facility | Ohio Reformatory for Women |
| Conviction | Aggravated Murder |
| Sentence | 23 years to life |
| Conviction Date | September 2009 |
| Parole Eligibility | June 2032 |
| Years Served | 17 years (as of 2026) |
While Eli Weaver took a plea deal and testified against his lover, Barbara “Barb” Raber went to trial—and the jury found her guilty of aggravated murder in September 2009.
Barbara Raber is currently serving her sentence at the Ohio Reformatory for Women, the state’s primary facility for female offenders. She won’t be eligible for parole until June 2032—coincidentally, the same year as Eli’s next parole hearing.
Her Role in the Murder
Barbara Raber was more than just Eli’s mistress—she was the one who actually pulled the trigger. The evidence presented at trial painted a damning picture:
- 840 internet searches on poisoning methods
- Text messages with Eli discussing various murder methods: poisoned cupcakes, rat poison, carbon monoxide, and finally, a rifle
- On June 2, 2009, she texted Eli that it “would be a good day to do it” when he mentioned his fishing trip
- She entered the Weaver home through an unlocked basement door (as Eli had instructed)
- She shot Barbara Weaver in the chest at close range with a .410-gauge shotgun
- After the murder, she texted Eli asking how to clean a gun so it wouldn’t appear to have been fired
Her Defense and Conviction
At trial, Raber’s story changed multiple times:
- Initial denial: She first denied any involvement in the murder
- “Just trying to scare her”: She later claimed she only intended to frighten Barbara, and the gun went off accidentally
- Memory loss: She eventually said she didn’t remember being in the house at all
- Alternative theory: Her attorney argued that Eli himself shot Barbara before leaving for his 3:30 a.m. fishing trip
The jury didn’t buy any of these explanations. Despite no fingerprints being found in the Weaver house, the overwhelming evidence—particularly the text messages and internet searches—led to her conviction.
Raber’s husband, Ed Raber, supported her throughout the trial, believing in her innocence. However, the evidence was simply too strong.
A Woman Manipulated?
While Raber was clearly guilty of pulling the trigger, many observers note that she was also a victim of Eli’s manipulation. As a married mother of three herself, she had everything to lose. Yet Eli’s charm and promises that they could be together if only Barbara were gone led her to commit an unthinkable act.
During the investigation, Eli testified that he “seduced Barb into doing anything for him because she was in love with him.” When asked why he didn’t just get a divorce, he responded chillingly: “Murder seemed easier.”
Barbara Raber will have served 23 years by the time she’s eligible for parole in 2032. Whether she’ll be granted freedom at that time remains to be seen.
The Crime That Shocked the Amish Community
June 2, 2009: The Day of the Murder
The night of June 1, 2009, brought thunderstorms to Wayne County, Ohio. In the Weaver household, Barbara Weaver rocked her youngest daughter Lizzie to sleep by gaslight, while her other children and nieces settled down for the night. Some had moved downstairs to sleep away from the storm’s noise.
None of them knew it would be their mother’s last night alive.
3:30 a.m.: Eli Weaver left for a fishing trip to Lake Erie with friends, including Mennonite friend Jeremiah Peters who owned a cell phone—crucial for his alibi.
Early morning: Following Eli’s texted instructions, Barbara Raber entered through the unlocked basement door. She made her way to the master bedroom where Barbara Weaver slept and shot her at close range in the chest with a .410-gauge shotgun.
Later that morning: One of the Weaver children discovered their mother’s body. They ran to a neighbor’s house for help.
Emergency call: A neighbor called 911, reporting that Barbara Weaver was unresponsive, saying through tears, “No. I don’t think she’s breathing.”
Contact with Eli: Police used Jeremiah Peters’ cell phone to contact Eli on his fishing trip. He was brought back for questioning.
The Investigation: Text Messages and “The Taxi Lady”
Detectives Bruce London and Mike Maxwell led the investigation, and they immediately suspected Eli—but they had a problem. He had an airtight alibi. Multiple friends confirmed he was on a fishing trip when Barbara was shot.
However, several key factors pointed to Eli’s involvement:
- No signs of forced entry
- Cash left in plain view (ruling out robbery)
- Barbara’s sister reported Eli’s history of infidelity and that Barbara suspected he was cheating again
- Community members kept mentioning “the taxi lady”
The breakthrough came when investigators discovered Eli had a secret cell phone—forbidden in the Andy Weaver Amish community. Even more revealing: the phone was registered in Barbara Raber’s name.
The Plot: 840 Internet Searches and Chilling Text Messages
When detectives obtained a subpoena for the phone records, they uncovered a treasure trove of evidence showing the conspiracy to commit murder:
Barbara Raber had performed 840 internet searches on poisoning methods.
The text messages between Eli and Raber discussed multiple murder methods:
- Poisoning a cupcake
- Poisoning her soda
- Putting rat poison in her food
- Carbon monoxide poisoning
- Making her death look like a home explosion
- Finally: using Eli’s own rifle
They even attempted one method: Eli tried to poison Barbara’s water with sleeping pills. She took one sip, knew something was wrong, and questioned him about it. He covered by claiming the water was for him because he was going to commit suicide. The plan failed.
Most chilling of all: When Raber asked Eli via text, “What about the children?” Eli responded that it was fine if they died in the explosion because “they would go straight to heaven.”
On the night of the murder, Eli texted Raber:
- The time he was leaving
- Where to park
- That the basement door would be unlocked
- Encouragement when she expressed fear and regret
After the murder, Raber texted Eli asking him not to give up the cell phone (knowing its damaging contents) and how to clean a gun so it wouldn’t look fired.
Why Murder Instead of Divorce? The Amish Dilemma
The question everyone asks: Why didn’t Eli just divorce Barbara?
The answer lies in the strict rules of the Andy Weaver Amish community, a conservative subgroup of Old Order Amish. As a devoted Amish woman, Barbara didn’t consider divorce an option—it went against everything she believed.
But for Eli, divorce meant permanent shunning from the community. He would lose:
- His hunting and fishing supply business (Maysville Outfitters)
- His connection to family and friends
- His ability to live in the Amish community
- Everything familiar to him
Eli’s attorney, Andrew Hyde, explained it this way: “If he had left, he would have been shunned. If his wife is dead, they pat him on the back.”
As a widower, Eli would have been:
- Embraced by the community with sympathy and support
- Able to keep his business
- Free to send his children to live with Barbara’s sister (which is what happened anyway)
- Free to date and remarry within acceptable bounds
- Able to continue his secret affairs without the burden of a wife who was catching on
Author Rebecca Morris put it simply: “If she died, he could more easily navigate both lives”—his Amish life and his promiscuity.
In Eli’s twisted calculation, murder was easier than divorce.
Who Was Eli Weaver? The “Amish Stud” Profile
Early Life and Marriage
Born on September 2, 1979, Eli Weaver was raised in the Andy Weaver Amish community in rural Ohio—a conservative subgroup of Old Order Amish that strictly forbids the use of computers, the internet, or cell phones.
In the late 1990s, Eli met Barbara Miller, a woman from his Amish community. They married in 1999 when both were quite young, following traditional Amish customs. Together, they had five children:
- Harley
- Sarah
- Joseph
- Mary (or possibly another name—records vary)
- Lizzie (the youngest)
Eli owned and operated Maysville Outfitters, a hunting and fishing supply business next to their home. By all outward appearances, they were a typical Amish family.
The Pattern of Infidelity
But Eli had a secret life that would eventually destroy his family. Despite the Amish prohibition on modern technology, Eli had a secret cell phone and laptop computer—provided to him by Barbara Raber.
Using these forbidden devices, Eli:
- Created profiles on dating sites and chat rooms
- Used the username “Amish Stud”
- Met and had affairs with multiple “English” (non-Amish) women
- Left his wife and children twice to live outside the community with girlfriends
- Was shunned by the church both times
- Begged for forgiveness and was welcomed back both times
One of his more serious affairs was with a woman named Laura Kelley. He left Barbara to live with Laura, only to return home within a few months when he found that life outside the Amish community was “hard” and he “wasn’t mature enough to handle life and responsibilities and marriage,” according to author Rebecca Morris.
As neighbor Mary Eicher observed: “He just wanted to dabble in things that were forbidden. He seemed to have a real attraction to things that were forbidden.”
Meeting Barbara Raber: The Fatal Connection
In 2003, Eli met Barbara “Barb” Raber, a Conservative Mennonite who had been raised Amish but left for the slightly less restrictive Mennonite community. Raber worked as a taxi driver for the Amish—driving them to appointments, shopping, and other destinations since the Amish don’t drive cars themselves.
Raber gave Eli what he wanted:
- A cell phone
- A laptop computer
- Rides to his favorite hunting and fishing spots
- And most importantly: sex
Despite being married with three children of her own, Raber fell deeply in love with Eli. He manipulated this affection masterfully.
The Narcissistic Charmer
Everyone who knew Eli described him similarly: charming, outgoing, considerate on the surface—but completely lacking in conscience.
“Eli was very outgoing,” Mary Eicher recalled. “He would often come over fairly late in the evening and ask for a ride, and he was very considerate, he would apologize for interrupting me. He had charm.”
But beneath the charm was a man who:
- Withheld money from his wife while his business was doing well
- Was rarely home for family meals (important in Amish culture)
- Didn’t want his children hanging around his store
- Disappeared for weeks or months at a time
- Asked multiple women to kill his wife before finding one who would actually do it
According to investigators, Eli had asked several people to kill Barbara before Barbara Raber agreed. Most people didn’t take him seriously. Raber did.
Barbara Weaver: The Devoted Wife and Mother
At just 30 years old when she was murdered, Barbara Weaver was everything Eli was not: faithful, devoted, kind, and deeply committed to her family and faith.
With dark-blonde hair and freckles, Barbara was described as “pretty as the women depicted on the covers of her favorite ‘bonnet’ stories”—romance novels set in Amish America. She had everything she’d ever wanted: five beautiful children, a home, her faith, and a husband.
Or so she thought.
A Marriage Built on Lies
In letters Barbara wrote to a counselor, the pain of her marriage is heartbreaking:
“Where did my friend, love, trustworthy husband go to? He hates me to the core.”
Barbara knew about Eli’s affairs and his pattern of leaving and returning. As a devoted Amish woman, she didn’t consider divorce an option, but she was deeply hurt—and increasingly frightened.
“She told a friend she wasn’t afraid of Eli, but she was afraid of Eli’s girlfriends,” author Rebecca Morris said. “That somebody would be so jealous and wanting Eli so much they would harm Barbara.”
Her fear proved tragically prophetic.
A Virtuous Woman
Mary Eicher, who was Barbara’s neighbor and friend, remembered her fondly:
“Barbara was a very friendly, sociable person. She was kind of laid back but super nice. A gentle soul. Barbara was like the virtuous woman in Proverbs 31… She was just a very good person to be around. It makes it all the more heartbreaking that he would do such a thing to her.”
For a more comprehensive look at Barbara Weaver’s life, her marriage, and the lasting impact of her murder, read our detailed article: Eli Weaver Wife: The Tragic Story of Barbara Weaver.
The Trials and Convictions
Barbara Raber’s Trial
Barbara Raber was arrested about a week after the murder and charged with aggravated murder. She went to trial in September 2009.
The Prosecution’s Case:
- 840 internet searches on poisoning methods
- Text messages between Raber and Eli discussing murder methods
- Messages on the day of the murder coordinating the crime
- Post-murder texts about cleaning the gun
- Raber’s access to a .410-gauge shotgun (matching the murder weapon)
- No alibi for the time of the murder
- Her eventual confession to police (though she claimed it was accidental)
The Defense’s Arguments:
- No fingerprints found in the Weaver house
- Raber’s claim that she only intended to scare Barbara and the gun went off
- Later claim that she didn’t remember being in the house
- Alternative theory that Eli shot Barbara himself before leaving for fishing at 3:30 a.m.
Despite the lack of physical evidence placing Raber in the house, the text messages and internet searches were damning. On the witness stand, even Eli’s own testimony painted Raber as the shooter—though he tried to minimize his own role.
The Verdict: Guilty of aggravated murder.
The Sentence: 23 years to life in prison. Raber is currently serving her sentence at the Ohio Reformatory for Women and will be eligible for parole in June 2032.
Eli Weaver’s Plea Deal
Eli Weaver never went to trial. Instead, he took a plea deal in exchange for testifying against Barbara Raber.
During his testimony, Eli:
- Tried to minimize his involvement in the crime
- Claimed he didn’t think Raber would actually commit the murder
- Said he “seduced Barb into doing anything for him because she was in love with him”
- When asked why he didn’t get a divorce, responded: “Murder seemed easier”
Barbara’s sister Abigail testified that she felt Eli had killed Barbara long before she was shot—he had “beat her down and degraded her spirit.”
The Conviction: Complicity to commit murder (a lesser charge than Raber faced)
The Sentence: 15 years to life in prison
The disparity in sentences—15 years to life for the mastermind versus 23 years to life for the trigger-woman—struck many as unjust. However, Eli’s cooperation and testimony were crucial to securing Raber’s conviction, which is why prosecutors offered the plea deal.
The Weaver Children Today: Living with the Aftermath
Perhaps the most tragic victims of this case are Barbara and Eli’s five children, who ranged from infancy to about 9 years old when their mother was murdered.
One of them discovered their mother’s body that June morning in 2009—a trauma that will likely haunt them forever.
Raised by Their Aunt
After the murder and arrests, the five Weaver children were taken in and raised by Fannie Troyer, Barbara’s sister. This had actually been Eli’s plan all along—he told people he would send the children to live with Barbara’s sister if she died, allowing him to continue his double life unencumbered.
The children have remained within the Amish community, continuing the plain lifestyle their mother cherished.
Doing Well, But Ashamed
According to Mary Eicher, who still lives in the Apple Creek area, “the Weaver children seem to be doing well” as of 2025.
In late 2025, two of the children visited their father in prison, where he reportedly serves as a leader of a work group. However, Eicher notes the complexity of their situation:
“They are very private people. They feel really ashamed of what happened, and they really don’t want to talk about it with outsiders.”
Now in their late teens and twenties, these children carry a burden few can imagine:
- Their mother was murdered
- Their father orchestrated the murder
- One of them found her body
- They grew up without both parents
- They bear the shame and stigma in a close-knit community
- They must decide whether to maintain a relationship with their imprisoned father
Despite everything, they appear to be building lives for themselves within the protective embrace of their Amish community, raised by an aunt who loved their mother dearly.
Media Coverage: Movies, Books, and Documentaries
The shocking nature of the Eli Weaver case—a murder in the peaceful Amish community, orchestrated by a man calling himself “Amish Stud”—captured national attention and has been the subject of multiple media adaptations.
Lifetime Movie: “Amish Stud: The Eli Weaver Story” (2023)
Premiere: September 30, 2023, at 8/7c on Lifetime
Cast:
- Luke Macfarlane as Eli Weaver (known for his many Hallmark movies)
- Kirsten Vangsness as Barbara “Barb” Raber
- Miranda MacDougall as Barbara Weaver
- Brent Stait as Detective Bruce London
- Mark Krysko as Detective Michael Maxwell
- Clare Filipow as Barbara’s sister
Where to Watch:
- Netflix (streaming)
- Fandango at Home (rent or buy)
- Amazon Prime Video (rent or buy)
- iTunes (rent or buy)
- Lifetime’s On Demand channel on Hulu
The movie is part of Lifetime’s “Ripped from the Headlines” series, which dramatizes true crime stories. While reviews were mixed—with some praising its restraint and cultural authenticity, and others criticizing the low budget and acting—it provides a 90-minute dramatization of the case that’s accessible to those unfamiliar with the story.
Snapped: Killer Couples
Episode: “Barbara Raber and Eli Weaver” (Season 15, Episode 3)
Air Date: May 25, 2021
Where to Watch:
- Peacock (NBCUniversal’s streaming service)
- Oxygen App
This true crime documentary episode provides a more factual, in-depth look at the case, featuring:
- Actual 911 calls
- Interviews with investigators
- Courtroom footage and testimony
- Expert analysis
- Crime scene details
The episode focuses on how the investigation unfolded and the relationship between Eli and Raber that led to murder.
Book: “A Killing in Amish Country: Sex, Betrayal, and a Cold-blooded Murder”
Authors: Gregg Olsen and Rebecca Morris
Published: 2016 by St. Martin’s Press
ISBN: 978-1250067234
This comprehensive true crime book remains the definitive account of the Barbara Weaver murder. Written by two New York Times bestselling authors known for investigative nonfiction, it provides:
- Detailed background on all parties involved
- Extensive research into Amish culture and the Andy Weaver community
- The complete timeline of events
- Investigation details not available elsewhere
- Text message transcripts
- Trial coverage
- Interviews with neighbors, including Mary Eicher
- Analysis of the culture of silence in closed communities
- Foreword by Linda Castillo (mystery author)
- Afterword by Karen M. Johnson-Weiner (Amish scholar)
The book examines not just the crime itself, but the larger cultural context—including how the Amish community’s reluctance to involve outside authorities can enable wrongdoing, and how the case prompted some reconsideration of divorce as an acceptable option in cases of abuse.
Authors Gregg Olsen and Rebecca Morris conducted extensive research, including attempting to correspond with Eli in prison (he never responded to Morris’s letters).
The Amish Community’s Response: A Rare Murder
Only the Third Spousal Murder in 250 Years
The murder of Barbara Weaver sent shockwaves through the Amish community—and for good reason. According to widely cited statistics, only three murders have been committed by Amish individuals in the past 250 years, and all three were spousal murders, with two cases involving men killing their wives.
“This really shook the community,” author Rebecca Morris told A&E Crime + Investigation. “It was a rare murder among the Amish in America.”
The Amish are known for their commitment to pacifism—a core tenet of their faith. Violence of any kind is strongly discouraged, and murder is nearly unthinkable. This is why the Weaver case stood out so dramatically.
Previous Notable Amish-Related Crimes
While extremely rare, a few other violent incidents have occurred involving Amish individuals:
Eli Stutzman Case: In another tragic case involving an “Eli,” Eli Stutzman’s wife Ida died in a barn fire in the 1970s. Eli Stutzman was later convicted of a separate murder. Author Gregg Olsen has examined this case as well.
Beard Cutters of Bergholz: While not homicides, Bishop Sam Mullet led a breakaway Amish sect in Bergholz, Ohio, to commit violent attacks—forcibly cutting the beards and hair of Amish individuals who disagreed with him. This was considered a serious violation and hate crime in the Amish context.
August 2025 Ohio Tragedy: In a more recent incident, another Ohio Amish family made headlines when a mother killed her 4-year-old son and her husband died in what authorities described as a case involving “spiritual delusion.” The mother, from an Old Order Amish family in Holmes County, told authorities she threw her son into Atwood Lake “to give that child to God,” believing she and her husband needed to pass religious tests. The father accidentally drowned trying to swim to a sandbar as part of these perceived divine challenges. This case highlighted how mental health crises can manifest in religious communities.
Community Healing and Change
In the aftermath of Barbara Weaver’s murder, the Amish community in Apple Creek had to confront some difficult truths:
- The culture of silence can be dangerous: Many people knew Eli was having affairs, leaving the community, and behaving inappropriately—but the community’s tendency to handle things internally and not involve outsiders allowed his behavior to escalate.
- Shunning isn’t always enough: Eli was shunned twice for leaving his wife and the community, yet he was welcomed back both times after asking forgiveness. The threat of shunning didn’t deter him from his destructive path.
- Divorce might be necessary in extreme cases: Perhaps most significantly, the case prompted greater recognition among the Old Order communities that in cases of abuse and danger, divorce—generally considered un-Biblical—could be an acceptable option. Divorce could have saved Barbara’s life.
Author Rebecca Morris notes that since the trials and sentencing, there has been more openness to the idea that staying in a dangerous marriage isn’t always God’s will.
The Community Today
Apple Creek and the surrounding Wayne County Amish community have largely moved forward, though the memory of Barbara Weaver’s murder remains. The community continues to thrive, with:
- Barbara’s children being raised in the faith she loved
- Greater awareness of domestic violence warning signs
- Slightly more willingness to involve outside authorities when necessary
- Continued commitment to their peaceful way of life
Mary Eicher, who still lives in the area, reports that while people remember the tragedy, the community has healed as much as possible from such a shocking violation of their values.
Legal and Ethical Questions
Could Divorce Have Prevented This Murder?
This is perhaps the most haunting question surrounding the Barbara Weaver case. The answer is almost certainly yes.
If divorce had been a culturally acceptable option in the Andy Weaver Amish community—or if Barbara had felt she could pursue it without losing everything she valued—she would likely be alive today. Eli could have left the marriage, faced social consequences, and moved on with his life.
But the religious and cultural prohibition against divorce created a trap:
- Barbara wouldn’t divorce him because of her faith
- Eli wouldn’t divorce her because of the shunning
- He wanted to maintain his standing in the community while pursuing his affairs
- The only way he saw to achieve this: murder
Attorney Andrew Hyde’s explanation bears repeating: “If he had left, he would have been shunned. If his wife is dead, they pat him on the back.”
This perverse incentive structure—where murder carried social benefits that divorce did not—created the conditions for tragedy.
Manipulation and Coercion: Was Raber Also a Victim?
While Barbara Raber is clearly guilty of murder and is rightfully imprisoned, the case raises uncomfortable questions about manipulation and coercion.
Consider the facts:
- Raber was deeply in love with Eli
- Eli admittedly “seduced Barb into doing anything for him”
- He asked multiple women to kill his wife before finding one who would
- The text messages show him directing and encouraging her throughout the plot
- Raber had everything to lose: her own husband, her three children, her freedom
- Yet she did it anyway
This doesn’t excuse her actions—she pulled the trigger and must face the consequences. But it does illustrate how Eli’s manipulative charm was weaponized against vulnerable women.
In a sense, Eli had three victims that day: Barbara Weaver, who died; Barbara Raber, whose life was destroyed; and all eight children who lost their mothers.
The Culture of Silence
The case also highlights the dangers of cultures of silence in closed communities. As author Rebecca Morris noted: “The whole, ‘If you see something, say something’…doesn’t happen in closed communities like this. People keep secrets.”
Many people knew about Eli’s behavior:
- His affairs were common knowledge
- He had asked multiple people to kill his wife
- Barbara’s fear of his girlfriends was shared with friends
- His pattern of leaving and returning was well-known
Yet the community’s preference for handling things internally, combined with a reluctance to involve outside authorities (police), allowed Eli’s escalating behavior to continue unchecked until it ended in murder.
This isn’t a criticism unique to the Amish—many closed communities (religious, cultural, or otherwise) struggle with this balance between autonomy and safety. But the Weaver case starkly illustrates the potential consequences.
What If Eli Gets Parole? Future Scenarios
The Likelihood of Future Parole Approval
With Eli’s 2024 parole request denied, the question becomes: Will he ever be released?
Several factors will influence future parole decisions:
Working Against Parole:
- The premeditated nature of the crime
- The manipulation of another person to commit murder
- His lack of genuine remorse (evidenced by seeking female pen pals from prison)
- The severity of the crime (aggravated murder)
- Strong victim impact statements from Barbara’s family
- The fact that he had five children who he was willing to let die as “collateral damage”
- Public safety concerns given his history of manipulation
Working For Parole (Eventually):
- His clean disciplinary record in prison
- The passage of time (by 2032, he’ll have served 23 years)
- Participation in prison programs
- His cooperation in securing Raber’s conviction
- The possibility of health issues as he ages (though he’s only in his 40s)
- Potential changes in sentencing standards or parole guidelines
Legal experts suggest that for a crime this serious, with this level of premeditation, Eli is unlikely to be granted parole until he’s served significantly more time—possibly 30 to 40 years total, which would put him in his 60s or 70s.
Community Opposition
If Eli ever comes up for parole again, he will almost certainly face strong opposition from:
- Barbara Weaver’s family, particularly her sister Fannie Troyer who raised the children
- The five Weaver children (now adults)
- The Amish community in Apple Creek
- Victim advocacy groups
- Members of the public who followed the case
Under Ohio’s Roberta’s Law, victims of violent crimes are automatically notified of parole hearings and have the right to submit impact statements and attend hearings.
Shunning If Released
Even if Eli were somehow granted parole, his life would be extremely difficult. As both Mary Eicher and Rebecca Morris have confirmed, he would be completely shunned by the Amish community.
Unlike a widower who would be embraced, a convicted murderer would face:
- Total social isolation from the Amish community
- Inability to reconnect with family members still in the community
- No business prospects within the community
- The need to build a completely new life in the “English” world
- Likely difficulties finding employment as a middle-aged felon
- Potential harassment from those aware of his crimes
- Strained relationships with his adult children
In many ways, release from prison would simply mean trading one form of confinement for another—a lifetime as an outcast with no community, no support system, and the stigma of being known as “the Amish Stud killer.”
Risk Assessment
From a public safety perspective, would Eli Weaver pose a danger if released? The factors to consider:
High Risk Indicators:
- History of manipulation and using others
- Narcissistic traits (evidenced throughout the case)
- Lack of genuine remorse
- Pattern of seeking relationships with vulnerable women
- Willingness to escalate to violence when thwarted
Lower Risk Indicators:
- The crime was specifically related to his marriage situation
- No history of random violence
- Age (violent crime tends to decrease with age)
- Unlikely to be in a similar situation again
Any parole board would need to weigh these factors carefully. The manipulative personality that led Eli to orchestrate murder doesn’t simply disappear with age—but the specific circumstances that created the “perfect storm” are unlikely to recur.
How to Check Eli Weaver’s Current Status
For those who want to verify Eli Weaver’s current incarceration status or receive updates on changes to his status, the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction provides public access to offender information.
Ohio Offender Search Portal
Website: Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction Offender Search
Eli Weaver’s Inmate Number: A573154
How to Search:
- Visit the Ohio DRC Offender Search website
- Enter either “Eli Weaver” or inmate number “A573154”
- Click “Search”
- View his current status, location, and offense information
Information Available:
- Current incarceration status
- Institution where housed
- Offense information
- Sentence details
- Admission date
- Date of birth
Victim Notification System
Under Roberta’s Law (effective March 22, 2013), victims of violent crimes in Ohio have expanded notification rights.
If the inmate is convicted of:
- Aggravated Murder
- Murder
- A first, second, or third-degree offense of violence
- Or is serving a life sentence
…victims will be automatically notified of specified events, regardless of whether they’ve requested notification.
Events triggering notification:
- Parole hearings
- Release dates
- Transfers to different facilities
- Escapes
- Death of the offender
For Barbara Weaver’s family and community members who qualify as victims, this means they’ll receive advance notice before Eli’s 2032 parole hearing and any other significant status changes.
To register for notifications if you’re a victim: Visit the Ohio DRC victim services page or contact them at:
Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction
Attn: Central Records
P.O. Box 430
Columbus, OH 43216
The Lasting Impact: Justice, Tragedy, and Lessons Learned
Seventeen years after Barbara Weaver’s murder, the ripples of that June morning in 2009 continue to spread through the lives of everyone touched by the crime.
Barbara’s Legacy
Barbara Weaver’s legacy lives on through her five children, now young adults who embody the faith and values she held dear. Raised by her sister Fannie in the Amish community Barbara loved, they carry forward her memory even as they bear the burden of her tragic death.
Her story has also become a cautionary tale—not just about the dangers of domestic violence, but about the importance of recognizing that leaving a dangerous situation, even through divorce, can be a matter of life and death.
The Children’s Journey
For Harley, Sarah, Joseph, Mary, and Lizzie Weaver—who ranged from a toddler to elementary school age when they lost their mother—the path forward has been marked by resilience and privacy.
They’ve grown up in the shadow of an infamous crime, yet by all accounts, they’re “doing well.” Some maintain a limited relationship with their imprisoned father, while others may have chosen to sever ties completely. These are deeply personal decisions, and their right to privacy should be respected.
What’s clear is that they’ve been given the gift their mother wanted most for them: a life rooted in faith, community, and family—thanks to their aunt Fannie who stepped in to raise them.
A Community Forever Changed
The Amish community of Apple Creek, Wayne County, has healed from the shock of Barbara’s murder, but it hasn’t forgotten. The case prompted important conversations about:
- The limits of handling serious crimes internally
- When to involve outside authorities
- Whether divorce can be morally acceptable in cases of danger or abuse
- How to better support victims of domestic violence
- The importance of speaking up when someone’s safety is at risk
These discussions don’t come easily to a community that values tradition, privacy, and handling matters within the church. But Barbara’s death made clear that some situations require intervention beyond what the community can provide alone.
Justice Served—But At What Cost?
Both Eli Weaver and Barbara Raber are behind bars, where they’ll remain for the foreseeable future. In that sense, justice has been served. Barbara Weaver’s murderer and the woman who pulled the trigger are paying for their crimes.
But the cost has been staggering:
- A kind, devoted mother taken from her children
- Five children orphaned—losing both parents to violence and prison
- Three more children (Raber’s) who lost their mother to prison
- Two families destroyed
- A community’s innocence shattered
- Lives forever marked by trauma
No amount of prison time can restore what was lost that June morning.
The Question That Haunts
Author Rebecca Morris ends her book with a haunting observation: “The only mystery is why he thought he could get away with this.”
Eli Weaver’s narcissism and sense of entitlement were so profound that he genuinely believed he could:
- Orchestrate his wife’s murder
- Manipulate another woman into pulling the trigger
- Establish a fishing trip alibi
- Return home to play the grieving husband
- Eventually be embraced as a widower
- Continue his life of affairs without consequence
The arrogance required to believe this plan would work is staggering. Yet Eli’s manipulation had worked so many times before—with his affairs, his departures and returns, his avoidance of consequences—that perhaps he truly believed he was untouchable.
He was wrong.
Lessons for Closed Communities
The Weaver case offers important lessons for any close-knit community, religious or otherwise:
- Silence protects perpetrators, not victims. When community members know about abuse, infidelity, or danger but don’t speak up or involve authorities, they become complicit in enabling harm.
- Internal discipline isn’t always enough. Shunning and church discipline can be meaningful consequences for many behaviors, but they’re inadequate responses to serious crimes like domestic violence, stalking, or threats.
- Divorce can save lives. When staying in a marriage becomes dangerous, leaving—even through divorce—may be the godly choice. Protecting life is more important than maintaining an appearance of marital permanence.
- Multiple warnings were ignored. Eli asked several people to kill his wife. Barbara expressed fear of his girlfriends. He left repeatedly. These were all red flags that should have prompted serious intervention.
- Outside help is sometimes necessary. Law enforcement, counselors, domestic violence advocates, and legal resources exist for a reason. Using them isn’t a failure of faith—it’s wisdom.
For Victims of Domestic Violence
If you or someone you know is in a situation similar to Barbara Weaver’s—trapped in a marriage with an unfaithful, manipulative, or dangerous partner—please know that help is available:
National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-7233 (SAFE)
www.thehotline.org
Available 24/7, confidential, free
Leaving can be difficult, especially in close-knit religious communities. But staying can be deadly. Your life is valuable. Your children need you alive.
Barbara Weaver tried to make her marriage work, tried to be faithful to her beliefs, tried to be the “virtuous woman” she aspired to be. But faithfulness doesn’t require staying with someone who’s plotting to kill you.
If Barbara’s story teaches us anything, it’s this: When your life is in danger, leaving isn’t a failure. It’s survival.
Final Thoughts: Where Things Stand in 2026
As we enter 2026, nearly 17 years after Barbara Weaver’s tragic murder, the key players in this case remain exactly where the justice system placed them:
Eli Weaver continues to serve his 15-years-to-life sentence at Grafton Correctional Institution in Ohio. His 2024 parole request was denied, and he won’t be eligible again until February 2032. At 47 years old, he’s likely to spend many more years—perhaps the rest of his life—behind bars.
Barbara Raber is serving 23 years to life at the Ohio Reformatory for Women. She too won’t be eligible for parole until June 2032. Having actually pulled the trigger, her path to freedom may be even more difficult than Eli’s.
Barbara Weaver’s five children—now adults in their late teens and twenties—continue to build their lives within the Amish community, raised by their maternal aunt. They carry the trauma of their mother’s murder and the shame of their father’s crime, but they’re reported to be doing well, maintaining their privacy, and honoring their mother’s memory through how they live.
The Apple Creek Amish community has moved forward, forever changed by the realization that even in their peaceful, plain world, evil can flourish if good people remain silent.
The “Amish Stud” remains behind bars, his charm and manipulation unable to free him from the consequences of his choices. The widower’s welcome he had hoped for never came. Instead, he faces a different future: more parole denials, more years in prison, and eventual complete shunning if he’s ever released.
Meanwhile, Barbara Weaver’s memory endures—not as a victim, but as a devoted mother, a faithful woman, and a reminder that the quiet courage of those who love deeply and live virtuously outlasts the machinations of those who destroy.
Barbara Weaver was 30 years old when she died on June 2, 2009. Her children were 9, 7, 5, 3, and 1 year old. She would be 46 in 2026. Her children have now lived longer without her than they did with her—but her influence continues through them.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is Eli Weaver still in prison in 2026?
Yes, Eli Weaver is still in prison as of January 2026. He is currently incarcerated at Grafton Correctional Institution in Ohio, where he has been since his conviction in September 2009. His inmate number is A573154, and his status can be verified through the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction’s offender search portal.
2. Is Eli Weaver still in jail today?
Yes, Eli Weaver is still in jail today. He remains incarcerated at Grafton Correctional Institution in Grafton, Ohio. He is serving a sentence of 15 years to life for complicity to commit murder and will not be eligible for parole again until February 2032.
3. Is Eli Weaver still alive today?
Yes, Eli Weaver is still alive. As of January 2026, he is 47 years old (born September 2, 1979) and continues to serve his sentence at Grafton Correctional Institution. According to prison records, he has held various jobs within the facility and has maintained a relatively clean disciplinary record.
4. Did Eli Weaver get parole in 2024?
No, Eli Weaver’s parole request was DENIED in 2024. Despite becoming eligible for parole in June 2024 after serving his minimum 15-year sentence, the Ohio Adult Parole Authority denied his request. This was his first parole hearing, and the decision means he will remain in prison for several more years.
5. When is Eli Weaver’s next parole hearing?
Eli Weaver’s next parole hearing is scheduled for February 2032. This is more than six years away from 2026. At that time, he will be 52 years old and will have served approximately 23 years in prison. Whether he will be granted parole at that hearing remains uncertain.
6. Was Eli Weaver’s parole denied?
Yes, Eli Weaver’s parole was denied in 2024. After becoming eligible for parole following 15 years of incarceration, his request was reviewed and rejected by the Ohio parole board. The specific reasons for denial are not always made public, but factors likely included the severity of his crime, lack of genuine remorse, community opposition, and the impact on the victim’s family.
7. Is Eli Weaver out of prison now?
No, Eli Weaver is NOT out of prison. He remains incarcerated at Grafton Correctional Institution in Ohio and will continue to be imprisoned at least until his next parole hearing in 2032. Despite rumors or speculation online, he has not been released and is still serving his life sentence.
8. Is Eli Weaver out of jail yet?
No, Eli Weaver is not out of jail. He is still incarcerated and serving his sentence of 15 years to life for his role in orchestrating his wife Barbara Weaver’s murder. His 2024 parole request was denied, ensuring he will remain behind bars for at least several more years.
9. Did Eli Weaver ever get out of prison?
No, Eli Weaver has never been released from prison. He has been continuously incarcerated since his arrest in June 2009 and conviction in September 2009. He has now served 17 years of his 15-years-to-life sentence and remains at Grafton Correctional Institution with no release date.
10. Did Eli Weaver get out on parole?
No, Eli Weaver did not get out on parole. His first parole request in 2024 was denied. He will not have another opportunity for parole consideration until February 2032, at which point the parole board will review his case again.
11. Where is Eli Weaver now in 2026?
Eli Weaver is currently at Grafton Correctional Institution in Grafton, Ohio. This is an all-male minimum-to-medium-security facility where he has been housed throughout his incarceration. He works various jobs within the prison and reportedly serves as a work group leader. His exact unit or cell assignment is not public information for security reasons.
12. Where is Eli Weaver now in 2025?
In 2025, Eli Weaver was (and remains) at Grafton Correctional Institution in Ohio. He has been at this facility since his conviction in 2009 and continues to serve his sentence there as of 2026.
13. Is Eli Weaver still incarcerated?
Yes, Eli Weaver is still incarcerated. His status is “INCARCERATED” according to official Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction records. He will remain imprisoned at minimum until his next parole hearing in February 2032, and possibly for life if subsequent parole requests are also denied.
14. Is Eli Weaver still in prison in Ohio?
Yes, Eli Weaver is still in prison in Ohio. Specifically, he is housed at Grafton Correctional Institution in Lorain County, Ohio. He was convicted in Wayne County, Ohio, and has served his entire sentence within the Ohio correctional system.
15. How long has Eli Weaver been in prison?
As of January 2026, Eli Weaver has been in prison for 17 years. He was admitted to the Ohio correctional system on September 24, 2009, following his conviction for complicity to commit murder. By the time of his next parole hearing in 2032, he will have served nearly 23 years.
16. What is Eli Weaver’s sentence?
Eli Weaver was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison. This means he had to serve a minimum of 15 years before becoming eligible for parole, which occurred in June 2024. However, the “to life” portion means he could potentially remain in prison for the rest of his life if parole is continually denied. His conviction was for complicity to commit murder under Ohio Revised Code 2903.02.
17. What prison is Eli Weaver in?
Eli Weaver is in Grafton Correctional Institution, located in Grafton, Ohio (Lorain County). This is an all-male minimum-to-medium-security facility that opened in 1988. The facility has a capacity for 1,234 inmates and offers various educational programs, vocational training, and a faith-based unit.
18. Is Barbara Raber still in jail?
Yes, Barbara Raber is still in jail as of 2026. She is serving her sentence at the Ohio Reformatory for Women, where she has been since her conviction in September 2009. She was sentenced to 23 years to life for aggravated murder and will not be eligible for parole until June 2032.
19. Is Barbara Raber still in prison?
Yes, Barbara Raber is still in prison. She remains incarcerated at the Ohio Reformatory for Women in Ohio. Despite being the one who actually pulled the trigger and shot Barbara Weaver, she received a harsher sentence than Eli (23 years to life vs. his 15 years to life) because he took a plea deal and testified against her.
20. Where is Barbara Raber today?
Barbara Raber is currently serving her sentence at the Ohio Reformatory for Women. She has been incarcerated there since September 2009 and will remain there at least until her parole eligibility date in June 2032. At that time, she will have served 23 years of her life sentence.
21. When will Barbara Raber be eligible for parole?
Barbara Raber will be eligible for parole in June 2032. This is the same year as Eli Weaver’s next parole hearing, though their specific dates differ (his is in February, hers in June). By that time, she will have served 23 years for the murder of Barbara Weaver.
22. What was Barbara Raber’s sentence?
Barbara Raber was sentenced to 23 years to life in prison for aggravated murder. She went to trial (unlike Eli who took a plea deal) and was convicted by a jury. Her sentence is harsher than Eli’s because she was the actual shooter and did not cooperate with authorities initially.
23. Who is the “Amish Stud”?
“Amish Stud” was the username Eli Weaver used in online chatrooms and dating sites to meet women. Despite being married with five children and living in a conservative Amish community that forbids technology, Eli secretly used a cell phone and laptop to conduct affairs with multiple “English” (non-Amish) women. The name reflected his narcissistic belief that he was irresistible to women.
24. Is the “Amish Stud” a real person?
Yes, the “Amish Stud” is a real person – it refers to Eli Weaver. This was not a fictional character but the actual username used by a real Amish man from Ohio who orchestrated his wife’s murder in 2009. The case gained national attention precisely because it was so shocking and real.
25. What happened to Barbara Weaver?
Barbara Weaver was murdered on June 2, 2009, in her home in Apple Creek, Ohio. She was shot in the chest at close range while sleeping in her bed. Her husband Eli Weaver orchestrated the murder, and his mistress Barbara Raber was the one who pulled the trigger. The crime was premeditated, with Eli and Raber exchanging hundreds of text messages planning the murder.
26. Who was Barbara Weaver?
Barbara Weaver (née Miller) was a 30-year-old Amish wife and mother of five children. She was known as a kind, gentle, devoted woman who loved her faith and her family. Born in the late 1970s, she married Eli Weaver in 1999 and spent a decade trying to make her marriage work despite his repeated infidelities. She was described by neighbors as “super nice” and “like the virtuous woman in Proverbs 31.”
27. Was Barbara Weaver murdered?
Yes, Barbara Weaver was murdered on June 2, 2009. Her murder was not an accident or a suicide—it was a premeditated killing orchestrated by her husband Eli Weaver and carried out by his mistress Barbara Raber. The evidence included 840 internet searches on poisoning methods and hundreds of text messages planning the murder.
28. How did Barbara Weaver die?
Barbara Weaver died from a gunshot wound to the chest. She was shot at close range with a .410-gauge shotgun while sleeping in her bed in the early morning hours of June 2, 2009. The lack of stippling on the wound indicated the gun was fired from very close proximity. Her death was quick, and she likely died without knowing what was happening.
29. Who killed Barbara Weaver?
Barbara “Barb” Raber physically killed Barbara Weaver by shooting her. However, the murder was orchestrated by Eli Weaver, Barbara’s husband, who manipulated Raber into committing the crime. Both were convicted—Raber of aggravated murder for pulling the trigger, and Eli of complicity to commit murder for planning and directing the crime.
30. What happened to Eli Weaver’s wife?
Eli Weaver’s wife, Barbara Weaver, was murdered in their home on June 2, 2009. She was shot to death in her bed while Eli was on a fishing trip establishing an alibi. The murder was carried out by his mistress Barbara Raber, whom Eli had manipulated into killing his wife so they could be together. For more details about Barbara Weaver’s life and tragic death, visit: https://dailyfornex.com/eli-weaver-wife-barbara-weaver/
31. How many children did Eli and Barbara Weaver have?
Eli and Barbara Weaver had five children together. Their names are Harley, Sarah, Joseph, Mary (or possibly another name), and Lizzie. At the time of their mother’s murder in 2009, they ranged in age from approximately 1 to 9 years old. One of the children discovered their mother’s body that morning.
32. Where are the Weaver children now?
The Weaver children are now adults living in the Amish community, raised by their maternal aunt Fannie Troyer. According to reports from 2025, they are “doing well” but remain very private about their situation. They feel ashamed of what happened and don’t discuss it with outsiders. Some of them have visited their father in prison, though they maintain their privacy about these relationships.
33. What happened to the Weaver children after the murder?
After their mother’s murder and their father’s arrest, the five Weaver children went to live with their maternal aunt, Fannie Troyer (Barbara Weaver’s sister). Ironically, this was exactly what Eli had planned—he told people he would send the children to live with Barbara’s sister if she died, freeing him to pursue his affairs. The children have been raised in the Amish faith and community their mother loved.
34. Can I watch Snapped: Killer Couples about Eli Weaver and Barbara Raber?
Yes, you can watch the Snapped: Killer Couples episode “Barbara Raber and Eli Weaver” on streaming platforms. The episode aired as Season 15, Episode 3 on May 25, 2021. It’s available to stream on:
- Peacock (NBCUniversal’s streaming service)
- Oxygen App
The episode provides a detailed documentary-style look at the case, including 911 calls, investigator interviews, courtroom footage, and analysis of the evidence.
35. Is there a movie about Eli Weaver?
Yes, there is a Lifetime movie called “Amish Stud: The Eli Weaver Story.” It premiered on September 30, 2023, and stars Luke Macfarlane as Eli Weaver, Kirsten Vangsness as Barbara Raber, and Miranda MacDougall as Barbara Weaver. The film is available to watch on:
- Netflix (streaming)
- Fandango at Home (rent or buy)
- Amazon Prime Video (rent or buy)
- iTunes (rent or buy)
- Hulu (Lifetime’s On Demand channel)
36. What is the book about Eli Weaver called?
The book about the Eli Weaver case is called “A Killing in Amish Country: Sex, Betrayal, and a Cold-blooded Murder.” It was written by New York Times bestselling authors Gregg Olsen and Rebecca Morris and published in 2016. The book provides the most comprehensive and detailed account of Barbara Weaver’s murder, the investigation, and the trials. It includes extensive research into Amish culture and interviews with people involved in the case.
37. Who played Eli Weaver in the Lifetime movie?
Luke Macfarlane played Eli Weaver in the Lifetime movie “Amish Stud: The Eli Weaver Story.” Macfarlane is known for his many roles in Hallmark Channel romantic movies, making his casting as a manipulative murderer in this true crime drama particularly notable. The film premiered in September 2023.
38. What is the Eli Weaver story about?
The Eli Weaver story is about an Amish man who orchestrated his wife’s murder so he could continue his affairs without facing divorce and shunning. Eli Weaver, calling himself “Amish Stud” online, had multiple affairs and manipulated his mistress Barbara Raber into shooting his wife Barbara Weaver in June 2009. The case shocked the peaceful Amish community and became one of only three spousal murders in 250 years of Amish history in America.
39. Why did Eli Weaver kill his wife?
Eli Weaver wanted to kill his wife so he could continue his affairs and double life without facing divorce and shunning from the Amish community. In the Amish community, divorce would have resulted in him being permanently shunned and losing his business and social standing. However, as a widower, he would have been embraced with sympathy. As his attorney explained: “If he had left, he would have been shunned. If his wife is dead, they pat him on the back.” When asked why he didn’t just get a divorce, Eli responded chillingly: “Murder seemed easier.”
40. Did Eli Weaver actually shoot his wife?
No, Eli Weaver did not personally shoot his wife. Barbara Raber, his mistress and a Mennonite taxi driver, was the one who entered the Weaver home and shot Barbara Weaver with a .410-gauge shotgun. However, Eli orchestrated the entire murder, provided detailed instructions via text message, and had an alibi (he was on a fishing trip) at the time of the shooting. This is why he was convicted of “complicity to commit murder” rather than murder itself.
41. How did police catch Eli Weaver?
Police caught Eli Weaver through several key pieces of evidence:
- Community members kept mentioning “the taxi lady” (Barbara Raber) as someone Eli was spending time with
- Investigators discovered Eli had a secret cell phone—forbidden in the Amish community
- The phone was registered in Barbara Raber’s name
- A subpoena of phone records revealed hundreds of text messages between Eli and Raber planning the murder
- Evidence showed 840 internet searches on poisoning methods performed by Raber
- Text messages on the day of the murder showed Eli giving Raber instructions on where to park and that the basement door would be unlocked
The digital evidence was overwhelming and led to both arrests about a week after the murder.
42. What evidence was used to convict Eli Weaver?
The primary evidence used to convict Eli Weaver included:
- Text messages between Eli and Barbara Raber discussing various methods to kill Barbara Weaver (poisoned cupcakes, rat poison, carbon monoxide, explosion, rifle)
- 840 internet searches on poisoning conducted by Raber on Eli’s laptop
- Text messages on June 2, 2009, coordinating the murder
- Eli’s text saying children dying would be okay because “they would go straight to heaven”
- Post-murder texts about hiding evidence and cleaning the gun
- Testimony from multiple women Eli had asked to kill his wife
- Eli’s own testimony against Raber (part of his plea deal)
- The secret cell phone registered in Raber’s name
43. Did Eli Weaver testify against Barbara Raber?
Yes, Eli Weaver testified against Barbara Raber as part of his plea deal. In exchange for pleading guilty to the lesser charge of complicity to commit murder and receiving a lighter sentence (15 years to life instead of a potential life without parole), Eli agreed to testify at Raber’s trial. During his testimony, he tried to minimize his own involvement and claimed he didn’t think she would actually go through with it. However, the text messages showed he actively planned and directed the murder.
44. Why did Eli Weaver get a lighter sentence than Barbara Raber?
Eli Weaver received a lighter sentence (15 years to life vs. Raber’s 23 years to life) because he took a plea deal and testified against Raber. Prosecutors needed his cooperation and testimony to secure Raber’s conviction, since she was the one who actually pulled the trigger. While many considered this unjust—since Eli was the mastermind who manipulated Raber into committing murder—plea deals are common in the justice system when prosecutors need testimony to convict other defendants.
45. What is Eli Weaver’s inmate number?
Eli Weaver’s inmate number is A573154. This number can be used to search for his current status on the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction’s offender search portal at: appgateway.drc.ohio.gov/OffenderSearch
46. How can I check if Eli Weaver is still in prison?
You can check Eli Weaver’s current prison status by visiting the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction’s offender search portal. Go to appgateway.drc.ohio.gov/OffenderSearch and search using either his name “Eli Weaver” or his inmate number “A573154”. The system will show his current status, location, sentence details, and other public information.
47. What jobs has Eli Weaver had in prison?
During his 17 years of incarceration, Eli Weaver has held multiple jobs within the prison system, including:
- Food service worker
- Material handler
- Trash crew worker
- Plumber
- Program aide
- Reception worker
- Maintenance repair worker
- Porter (most recent position)
- Work group leader
His progression to work group leader suggests he’s maintained good behavior and continues to demonstrate the manipulative charm that characterized his life before prison.
48. Has Eli Weaver behaved well in prison?
According to official records, Eli Weaver has had no documented rule infractions during his incarceration. The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction reports no disciplinary issues, suggesting he’s been a “model prisoner” on paper. However, his attempt to place an advertisement in an Amish newsletter seeking female pen pals demonstrates that his manipulative tendencies continue even behind bars.
49. Did Eli Weaver try to meet women from prison?
Yes, according to author Rebecca Morris, Eli managed to have an advertisement printed in an Amish newsletter saying he was hoping to meet women as pen pals. This disturbing behavior—seeking female attention from prison while serving time for conspiring to murder his wife—shows that Eli’s pattern of manipulation and his attraction to what’s forbidden hasn’t diminished with age or incarceration.
50. Do Eli Weaver’s children visit him in prison?
Yes, some of Eli Weaver’s children have visited him in prison. According to neighbor Mary Eicher, as of late 2025, two of his children had visited their father in prison where he serves as a work group leader. However, the children are very private about their relationship with their father and feel ashamed about what happened. The children maintain their right to privacy regarding whether they continue these visits.
51. Do Eli Weaver’s parents still talk to him?
No, Eli Weaver’s parents have “washed their hands of him,” according to author Rebecca Morris. While Eli has written to his parents from prison, they have not responded. They want nothing to do with their son after he orchestrated the murder of their daughter-in-law and destroyed the lives of their five grandchildren.
52. What is the Andy Weaver Amish community?
The Andy Weaver Amish is a conservative subgroup of Old Order Amish. This is the community both Eli and Barbara Weaver belonged to. The Andy Weaver Amish maintain very strict rules including prohibitions against computers, the internet, cell phones, and most modern technology. They also have strong prohibitions against divorce. The community is named after Bishop Andy Weaver and represents one of the more conservative branches of Amish life.
53. Do the Amish allow divorce?
Traditional Amish communities, especially conservative groups like the Andy Weaver Amish, generally do not permit divorce. Marriage is considered a lifelong covenant before God, and divorce is seen as contradicting Biblical teachings. However, the Barbara Weaver case prompted some reconsideration within Amish communities about whether divorce might be acceptable in cases of severe abuse or danger. As devoted to her faith as Barbara was, she did not consider divorce an option despite Eli’s repeated infidelities.
54. What would have happened to Eli Weaver if he divorced Barbara?
If Eli Weaver had divorced Barbara, he would have faced permanent shunning (Meidung) from the Amish community. This would have meant:
- Complete social isolation from family, friends, and the community
- Loss of his hunting and fishing business (Maysville Outfitters)
- Being cut off from all Amish social and religious life
- No support system or community
- Being treated as an outsider and pariah
His attorney Andrew Hyde explained: “If he had left, he would have been shunned. If his wife is dead, they pat him on the back.” This perverse incentive structure is what led Eli to choose murder over divorce.
55. What would happen to Eli Weaver if he’s released from prison?
If Eli Weaver is ever released from prison, he will face complete shunning from the Amish community. Unlike a widower who would be embraced, a convicted murderer will be permanently cast out. He would:
- Be completely shunned by the Amish community in Apple Creek
- Have no ability to reconnect with family members still in the community
- Need to build a completely new life in the “English” (non-Amish) world
- Face difficulty finding employment as a middle-aged felon
- Have strained relationships with his adult children
- Potentially face harassment from those aware of his crimes
- Have no community or support system
56. How rare is murder in Amish communities?
Murder is extremely rare in Amish communities. According to statistics cited in the investigation, only three murders have been committed by Amish individuals in the past 250 years in America, and all three were spousal murders (two cases of men killing their wives). The Amish are deeply committed to pacifism as a core tenet of their faith, making the Barbara Weaver case particularly shocking and unusual.
57. Was this the only Amish murder case?
No, but Amish-related murders are exceptionally rare. Other notable cases include:
- Eli Stutzman case: His wife Ida died in a barn fire, and he was later convicted of a separate murder
- Beard Cutters of Bergholz: While not murder, Bishop Sam Mullet led violent attacks cutting beards and hair of other Amish
- August 2025 Ohio tragedy: An Amish mother killed her 4-year-old son and her husband died in what authorities called “spiritual delusion”
In total, fewer than 10 violent crimes involving Amish perpetrators have been reported in over 250 years.
58. Who is Mary Eicher?
Mary Eicher is a Mennonite taxi driver who was Barbara Weaver’s neighbor and friend. She lived next door to the Weavers from 2006 until Barbara’s murder in 2009 and would often drive Barbara shopping or run errands for her. Eicher has been interviewed extensively about the case and still lives in the Apple Creek area. She’s provided valuable insights into Barbara’s character and the Weaver family dynamics, describing Barbara as “super nice” and “a gentle soul.”
59. Who is Rebecca Morris?
Rebecca Morris is a New York Times bestselling true crime author who co-wrote “A Killing in Amish Country” with Gregg Olsen. She conducted extensive research and interviews for the book about Barbara Weaver’s murder. Morris attempted to correspond with Eli in prison but never received a response. She has been widely quoted in media coverage about the case and continues to provide expert commentary on this shocking crime.
60. Who is Gregg Olsen?
Gregg Olsen is a New York Times bestselling true crime author and investigative journalist who co-wrote “A Killing in Amish Country” with Rebecca Morris. He has written numerous true crime books and is known for his detailed, compassionate approach to telling victims’ stories. Olsen has also written about other Amish-related crimes, including the Eli Stutzman case.
61. Who were the detectives who investigated Barbara Weaver’s murder?
The lead detectives investigating Barbara Weaver’s murder were Detective Bruce London and Detective Mike Maxwell from the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department. They faced the unique challenge of investigating a murder in the Amish community, where the elders initially wanted to handle the matter internally. The detectives’ breakthrough came when they discovered Eli’s secret cell phone and obtained the damning text message evidence.
62. What county did the murder happen in?
Barbara Weaver’s murder occurred in Wayne County, Ohio, in the small community of Apple Creek. Wayne County is home to a large Amish population and is part of Ohio’s Amish heartland. The murder took place in the Weaver home on June 2, 2009.
63. What is Maysville Outfitters?
Maysville Outfitters was Eli Weaver’s hunting and fishing supply business, located next to the Weaver family home. Despite owning this business, Eli was rarely present at home or with his family. He used the business as a cover for his affairs and didn’t want his children hanging around the store. The business was reportedly doing well financially, even though Eli withheld money from Barbara.
64. Who was Laura Kelley?
Laura Kelley was one of Eli Weaver’s girlfriends with whom he had a serious affair before meeting Barbara Raber. Eli left his wife and family to live with Laura outside the Amish community, but returned home after a few months when he found that life in the “English” world was harder than he expected. This was one of the two times Eli was shunned and then welcomed back into the church after asking for forgiveness.
65. How many affairs did Eli Weaver have?
Eli Weaver had multiple affairs with numerous women, though the exact number is not definitively known. Investigators discovered he had relationships with many “English” (non-Amish) women he met through online dating sites and chatrooms where he called himself “Amish Stud.” According to investigators, Eli had asked several women to kill his wife before Barbara Raber agreed. His pattern of infidelity was consistent and well-known throughout his marriage.
66. What technology did Eli Weaver use despite being Amish?
Despite the Andy Weaver Amish prohibition on modern technology, Eli secretly used:
- A cell phone (registered in Barbara Raber’s name)
- A laptop computer (also provided by Raber)
- Internet access and online dating sites/chatrooms
- Text messaging
All of this technology was strictly forbidden in his Amish community, but Barbara Raber provided it to him and helped him maintain his secret double life.
67. What is shunning in the Amish community?
Shunning (Meidung in Pennsylvania Dutch) is a form of social exclusion practiced in Amish communities. When someone is shunned, all community members must avoid social contact with them, including:
- Not eating meals with them
- Not doing business with them
- Avoiding unnecessary conversation
- Treating them as no longer part of the community
Shunning is intended to encourage repentance and return to the faith. Eli was shunned twice for leaving the community with girlfriends, but was welcomed back both times after asking forgiveness. However, if released from prison, he would face permanent shunning for his murder conviction.
68. Can Amish people use cell phones?
It depends on which Amish group they belong to. The Andy Weaver Amish (Eli and Barbara’s group) strictly prohibit cell phones, the internet, and most modern technology. However, some less conservative Amish groups allow limited use of cell phones for business purposes. The rules vary significantly between different Amish communities and subgroups.
69. What is the difference between Amish and Mennonite?
Amish and Mennonites share common Anabaptist roots but differ in their level of separation from modern society:
Amish:
- Dress in plain clothing (distinctive style)
- Reject most modern technology
- Live in agricultural communities
- Don’t drive cars
- Practice shunning
Mennonites (like Barbara Raber):
- Allow more interaction with modern society
- Can use technology, drive cars, wear modern clothing
- Less restrictive lifestyle while maintaining Christian values
- Don’t practice shunning as strictly
Barbara Raber was raised Amish but left for the more moderate Mennonite community, which allowed her to work as a taxi driver for the Amish.
70. What is a Mennonite taxi driver?
A Mennonite taxi driver is someone (often a Mennonite or ex-Amish person) who drives Amish people in their car for various needs. Since the Amish don’t drive cars or use modern transportation, they hire drivers for:
- Shopping trips
- Medical appointments
- Business errands
- Travel longer distances
- Any need requiring motor vehicle transportation
Barbara Raber worked as such a driver, which is how she met Eli Weaver and began their affair.
71. Will Eli Weaver ever be released from prison?
It’s possible but unlikely in the near future. Eli’s 2024 parole request was denied, and his next hearing isn’t until February 2032. Given the severity of his crime (orchestrating his wife’s murder), the premeditated nature of the act, and strong opposition from the victim’s family and community, he may continue to be denied parole. He could potentially spend the rest of his life in prison, or he might eventually be released when he’s much older if he can demonstrate genuine remorse and rehabilitation.
72. What does “15 years to life” mean?
“15 years to life” means Eli must serve a minimum of 15 years before becoming eligible for parole, but he could potentially remain in prison for the rest of his life. The “15 years” is the minimum mandatory sentence. The “to life” means there’s no maximum—he could be denied parole repeatedly and die in prison. Whether he’s released depends on parole board decisions that consider his behavior, remorse, victim impact, and public safety.
73. What happened on June 2, 2009?
June 2, 2009, was the day Barbara Weaver was murdered. The timeline of events:
- Night of June 1: Thunderstorms, children sleeping throughout the house
- 3:30 a.m. June 2: Eli left for a fishing trip to Lake Erie
- Early morning June 2: Barbara Raber entered through the unlocked basement door and shot Barbara Weaver
- Later that morning: One of the Weaver children discovered their mother’s body
- Morning/afternoon: Neighbor called 911, police contacted Eli on his fishing trip
- That day: Investigation began, with Eli initially appearing as a grieving husband
74. How did the Weaver children discover their mother’s body?
One of the Weaver children went to their mother’s bedroom and discovered she was unresponsive and not breathing. The exact details of the discovery are not widely published out of respect for the children’s trauma and privacy. The child or children ran to a neighbor’s house for help, and the neighbor called 911. This traumatic discovery has likely affected the children throughout their lives.
75. What were Eli Weaver’s exact words about his children dying?
When Barbara Raber asked Eli via text message “What about the children?” in reference to one of their murder plans (causing a home explosion), Eli responded that it would be fine if the children died because “they would go straight to heaven.” This chilling response showed his complete lack of conscience and willingness to sacrifice his own children to get rid of his wife and continue his affairs.
76. How many text messages were there between Eli and Barbara Raber?
There were hundreds of text messages between Eli Weaver and Barbara Raber discussing the murder plot. While the exact total number isn’t specified in all sources, the messages covered:
- Various murder methods (poisoning, carbon monoxide, explosion, shooting)
- Coordination on the day of the murder
- Instructions on where to park and that the door would be unlocked
- Post-murder messages about hiding evidence
- Messages about cleaning the gun
- Expressions of love and plans to be together after Barbara’s death
77. What murder methods did Eli and Barb discuss?
Eli Weaver and Barbara Raber discussed multiple methods of killing Barbara Weaver:
- Poisoning a cupcake
- Poisoning her soda
- Putting rat poison in her food
- Sleeping pills in her water (they attempted this but Barbara tasted something wrong)
- Carbon monoxide poisoning
- Making her death look like a home explosion
- Suffocation
- Shooting with a rifle (the method they ultimately used)
Barbara Raber conducted 840 internet searches on poisoning methods as part of their planning.
78. Did Eli Weaver ask other women to kill his wife?
Yes, according to investigators, Eli Weaver asked several women to kill his wife before Barbara Raber agreed. Most people didn’t take him seriously and thought he was joking or venting. Only Barbara Raber, who was deeply in love with him and vulnerable to his manipulation, actually agreed to commit the murder.
79. What was the evidence against Barbara Raber?
The evidence against Barbara Raber included:
- 840 internet searches on poisoning methods
- Hundreds of text messages with Eli planning the murder
- Text messages on June 2 coordinating the crime (“would be a good day to do it”)
- Post-murder texts about cleaning the gun and hiding evidence
- Access to a .410-gauge shotgun (the type of weapon used)
- No alibi for the time of the murder
- Her eventual confession to police (though she claimed it was accidental)
- Eli’s testimony against her
- Messages asking a friend to leave a misleading voicemail to create confusion
80. Did Barbara Raber’s fingerprints appear in the Weaver house?
No, Barbara Raber’s fingerprints were NOT found in the Weaver house. This was part of her defense—without physical evidence placing her at the scene, her attorney argued she wasn’t there. However, the overwhelming text message evidence, internet searches, and her own eventual confession to police were enough to convict her despite the lack of fingerprint evidence.
81. What did Barbara Raber say about the murder?
Barbara Raber’s story changed multiple times:
- Initial denial: She first denied any knowledge of or involvement in the murder
- Accidental shooting: She then claimed she only intended to scare Barbara Weaver and the gun went off accidentally
- Memory loss: Later, she said she didn’t remember being in the house at all
- Love-driven: She admitted she was deeply in love with Eli and he manipulated her into believing murder was the only way they could be together
82. What was Barbara Raber’s husband’s reaction?
Barbara Raber’s husband, Ed Raber, initially supported her and believed in her innocence. When she called him asking him to lie and be her alibi, he refused, feeling deeply betrayed. Throughout the trial, he grappled with the realization that his wife had committed murder for another man, destroying their family and leaving their three children without a mother.
83. How many children did Barbara Raber have?
Barbara Raber had three children with her husband Ed Raber. Like the Weaver children, Raber’s children lost their mother—though to prison rather than death. The case devastated two families: the five Weaver children who lost their mother to murder and their father to prison, and the three Raber children who lost their mother to prison for committing that murder.
84. When will both Eli Weaver and Barbara Raber be eligible for parole?
Both will have parole hearings in 2032:
- Eli Weaver: February 2032 (his second parole hearing)
- Barbara Raber: June 2032 (her first parole hearing)
By that time, Eli will have served approximately 23 years and Raber will have served exactly 23 years. Whether either will be granted parole remains uncertain and will depend on multiple factors including behavior, remorse, victim impact statements, and public safety considerations.
85. What happened to Eli Weaver’s business after his arrest?
Information about what happened to Maysville Outfitters (Eli’s hunting and fishing supply business) after his arrest is not extensively documented in public sources. Presumably, the business was closed or sold, as Eli has been in prison since 2009 and could no longer operate it. The property where the business was located, next to the Weaver home, would have been part of estate proceedings related to the case.
86. Where is Apple Creek, Ohio?
Apple Creek is a small village in Wayne County, Ohio, located in the northeastern part of the state. It’s part of Ohio’s Amish heartland, with a significant Amish population in the surrounding area. The town has a population of only a few hundred people and is characterized by the rural, agricultural lifestyle typical of Amish communities. It’s approximately 50 miles south of Cleveland.
87. Can I visit Grafton Correctional Institution?
Grafton Correctional Institution does allow visitation, but visits must be scheduled and approved in advance. Only approved visitors on an inmate’s visitor list can visit. The public cannot simply show up to visit or tour the facility. If you’re interested in visiting an inmate at Grafton, you would need to:
- Be on the inmate’s approved visitor list
- Follow the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction’s visitation rules
- Schedule visits according to the facility’s visiting hours
- Follow dress code and security requirements
88. Is the Amish community still upset about this case?
While the Apple Creek Amish community has moved forward, the memory of Barbara Weaver’s murder remains. According to Mary Eicher, who still lives in the area, people remember the tragedy but the community has healed as much as possible. The case prompted important discussions about domestic violence, divorce, and when to involve outside authorities. The community continues to thrive while maintaining awareness of what happened and supporting the Weaver children who were raised there.
89. Has Eli Weaver shown any remorse?
There’s little evidence that Eli Weaver has shown genuine remorse for his actions. Indicators suggesting lack of remorse include:
- His attempt to place an ad in an Amish newsletter seeking female pen pals from prison
- Author Rebecca Morris wrote to him but never received a response
- During his testimony, he tried to minimize his involvement and blame Raber
- His chilling statement that “murder seemed easier” than divorce
- His parents have “washed their hands of him,” suggesting he hasn’t taken responsibility
Whether he’s developed any genuine remorse during his 17 years in prison is not publicly documented.
90. What can we learn from the Eli Weaver case?
The Eli Weaver case offers several important lessons:
- Silence enables harm: Many people knew about Eli’s behavior but didn’t speak up
- Divorce can save lives: Keeping someone in a dangerous marriage can be deadlier than divorce
- Red flags should be heeded: Eli asked multiple people to kill his wife—these were serious warnings
- Manipulation is dangerous: Eli’s charm enabled him to convince someone to commit murder
- Technology can catch criminals: Text messages and internet searches provided the key evidence
- Closed communities need outside help sometimes: Internal discipline isn’t enough for serious crimes
- Domestic violence takes many forms: Barbara suffered emotional abuse before the physical violence that killed her
For more information about Barbara Weaver’s life, her marriage to Eli, and the full impact of this tragedy, read our comprehensive article: Eli Weaver Wife: The Tragic Story of Barbara Weaver.
Last Updated: January 2026
Information in this article is based on court records, official Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction data, published reports, the book “A Killing in Amish Country” by Gregg Olsen and Rebecca Morris, and media coverage from reputable sources.



