Eli Weaver Wife: The Tragic Story of Barbara Weaver and the “Amish Stud” Murder Case

Barbara Weaver was a 31-year-old Amish mother of five who lived a quiet, traditional life in Wayne County, Ohio. She devoted herself to her children, her faith, and her community—never imagining that the man she trusted most would orchestrate her death. On June 2, 2009, Barbara’s life was brutally cut short when she was shot and killed in her own bedroom, a crime that would expose one of the most shocking murder cases in Amish country.

Eli Weaver’s wife, Barbara Weaver, wasn’t just a statistic in a true crime story—she was a real person whose story deserves to be told. While her husband became known as “the Amish Stud” for his secret double life and multiple affairs, Barbara was the devoted mother trying to hold her family together. This is her story, the complete account of what happened, and where everyone involved stands today in 2026.

The case shocked the nation: an Amish man using cell phones and the internet to conduct extramarital affairs, eventually convincing his mistress to pull the trigger on his wife. The betrayal ran deep, the manipulation was calculated, and the consequences continue to reverberate through the community seventeen years later.

TL;DR: Quick Facts About Eli Weaver’s Wife Barbara Weaver

Who was Eli Weaver’s wife?
Barbara Weaver (born 1976), a devoted Amish mother of five children who lived in Wayne County, Ohio.

What happened to her?
She was murdered on June 2, 2009, at age 31—shot in her bedroom while her children slept in the house.

Who killed her?
Barbara Raber, Eli Weaver’s mistress, pulled the trigger. Eli orchestrated the murder but didn’t physically commit it.

Why was she killed?
Eli Weaver wanted to be with his mistress Barbara Raber and saw murdering his wife as the solution to escape his marriage.

What happened to Eli Weaver?
Convicted of aggravated murder in 2010. Sentenced to life in prison WITHOUT parole. Currently imprisoned in Ohio and will die in prison.

What happened to Barbara Raber?
Convicted of aggravated murder in 2010. Sentenced to 23 years to life. Currently imprisoned in Ohio. Eligible for parole in 2029.

The children?
The five children were raised by family members within the Amish community and have been protected from public scrutiny.

Current status (2026)?
Eli remains imprisoned for life. Barbara Raber will face her first parole hearing in 2029. The case inspired the 2023 Lifetime movie “Amish Stud: The Eli Weaver Story.”

Who Was Barbara Weaver? The Woman Behind the Headlines

Before she became known as “Eli Weaver’s wife” in true crime documentaries, Barbara Weaver was a person with her own identity, dreams, and story. She deserves to be remembered for who she was, not just how she died.

Early Life and Amish Upbringing

Born in 1976 into an Old Order Amish family, Barbara grew up immersed in the traditions and values that would define her life. The Amish community in Wayne County and neighboring Holmes County, Ohio, is one of the largest Amish settlements in the world, known for its commitment to simple living, plain dress, and separation from modern technology and conveniences.

Barbara’s childhood was typical for Amish girls of her generation. She attended a one-room Amish schoolhouse through eighth grade, as is customary in Amish education. She learned domestic skills like cooking, sewing, and gardening—practical knowledge that would serve her as a wife and mother. More importantly, she was raised with core Amish values: community over individualism, humility over pride, and forgiveness even in the face of wrongdoing.

Those who knew Barbara described her as gentle, kind, and deeply committed to her faith. She wasn’t someone who sought attention or created drama. In many ways, she embodied the Amish ideal of a devoted woman—quiet, hardworking, and focused on family.

Marriage to Eli Weaver

Barbara married Eli Weaver in the late 1990s when both were young adults. In Amish communities, marriage typically happens in the early twenties, and couples are expected to remain together for life. Divorce is virtually unheard of and strongly discouraged within the faith.

The couple settled in the Apple Creek area of Wayne County, Ohio, building what appeared from the outside to be a traditional Amish household. They lived simply, without electricity or modern conveniences, following the Ordnung—the unwritten rules that govern Amish life.

To their neighbors and community members, the Weavers seemed like a normal Amish family. Eli worked as a handyman and farmer, while Barbara managed their household and growing family. They attended church services every other Sunday, as is the Amish custom, and participated in community events and barn raisings.

But beneath the surface, trouble was already brewing. Eli Weaver was not content with traditional Amish life.

Life as a Mother of Five

Over the course of their marriage, Barbara and Eli had five children together. By June 2009, their children ranged from toddlers to pre-teens. Barbara devoted herself entirely to their care and upbringing, homeschooling them according to Amish traditions and instilling in them the same values she had learned as a child.

Being a mother to five children in an Amish household is demanding work. Without modern conveniences like washing machines, dishwashers, or microwaves, every household task required significant time and physical labor. Barbara cooked meals from scratch on a wood-burning stove, washed clothes by hand or with a wringer washer, tended a large garden to feed her family, and made many of the family’s clothes herself.

Those who knew the family say Barbara was a devoted, loving mother who put her children first. Even as her marriage deteriorated and she became aware of her husband’s infidelities, she tried to maintain stability and normalcy for her children. In the Amish community, a woman’s identity is closely tied to her role as a mother and homemaker, and Barbara took these responsibilities seriously.

Her children were everything to her. Little did she know that her husband’s actions would leave them motherless before the oldest even reached their teenage years.

The Troubled Marriage Nobody Talked About

By 2009, Barbara Weaver knew her marriage was in serious trouble. Eli had begun breaking fundamental Amish rules—secretly owning cell phones, using the internet, and most devastatingly, carrying on multiple affairs with women both inside and outside the Amish community.

In Amish culture, these transgressions are more than personal failings—they represent a rejection of the community’s most sacred values. The Amish embrace humility and separation from “the English” (non-Amish) world, viewing technology and outside influences as threats to their way of life. Eli’s actions weren’t just marital infidelity; they were a betrayal of everything the community stood for.

Barbara found herself in an impossible position. In the Amish community, divorce is essentially forbidden. Women who leave their husbands face shunning—being cut off from their families, friends, and the only community they’ve ever known. For someone raised Amish, this prospect is devastating. It means losing your entire support system, your identity, and in many cases, your children.

According to later testimony, Barbara was aware of at least some of Eli’s affairs. She confronted him. She tried to work through the problems. She turned to their church community for help. But Eli Weaver had no intention of changing his behavior or remaining in his marriage.

He simply wanted his wife gone. And he found someone willing to make that happen.

The Night of the Murder: June 2, 2009

The events of June 2, 2009, were the culmination of months of planning, manipulation, and calculated evil. What happened that night in the Weaver household would shatter a family, shock a community, and expose the dark reality behind what appeared to be a simple Amish life.

The Setup

Eli Weaver had been planning his wife’s murder for months, discussing it openly with his mistress, Barbara Raber. The two communicated through cell phones and text messages—technology strictly forbidden in their Amish community but which Eli had secretly embraced as part of his double life.

On the evening of June 1st and early morning of June 2nd, Eli carefully constructed his alibi. He made sure to be seen away from home, establishing that he couldn’t possibly have been the one to pull the trigger. In his mind, if he wasn’t physically present at the murder, he might escape blame entirely.

Barbara Weaver put her five children to bed that night, not knowing it would be the last time she would ever tuck them in. She had no idea that her husband had set in motion a plan that would end her life within hours.

The Crime

In the early morning hours of June 2, 2009—approximately 1:30 AM—Barbara Raber entered the Weaver home. She came armed with a .410 shotgun, a weapon she and Eli had discussed using for the murder.

Barbara Weaver was in her bedroom when Barbara Raber found her. What happened next was swift and brutal: Barbara Raber shot Barbara Weaver, killing her almost instantly. The devoted mother of five, who had spent her entire life following the Amish principles of peace and non-violence, was murdered in the place she should have been safest—her own home.

The children were in the house. They were asleep, but they were there—a fact that makes the crime even more heinous. Barbara Raber left the murder weapon at the scene in an attempt to make the killing look like a suicide, then fled into the night.

The peaceful Amish home had become a crime scene.

The Discovery

The next morning, one of the Weaver children discovered their mother’s body. The trauma of that discovery is unimaginable—a child finding their parent dead, shot in their own bedroom. The children, ranging from very young to pre-teen, were immediately thrust into a nightmare from which they would never fully wake.

Word spread quickly through the close-knit Amish community. In a culture where violent crime is almost unheard of, the news was incomprehensible. Barbara Weaver—quiet, devoted Barbara—had been murdered? It seemed impossible.

The Wayne County Sheriff’s Office was called to the scene. Investigators arrived to find what initially appeared to be a suicide: a woman dead from a gunshot wound, with the weapon left at the scene. But experienced investigators know that suicides often try to be staged as such, and certain details immediately raised red flags.

The Investigation Begins

From the very beginning, investigators were suspicious. Several factors didn’t add up:

• The position of the weapon was inconsistent with a self-inflicted gunshot wound
• Barbara Weaver had no history of depression or suicidal ideation
• She had five young children she was devoted to—suicide seemed completely out of character
• The Amish community members who knew her insisted she would never take her own life

When investigators spoke with Eli Weaver, his behavior raised even more suspicions. He seemed oddly unemotional about his wife’s death. His alibi was too prepared, too convenient. And when investigators began looking into his background, they uncovered his secret life—the cell phones, the internet use, the affairs.

Most damning of all were the digital communications between Eli and Barbara Raber. Text messages and emails explicitly discussed killing Barbara Weaver. The evidence was there, in their own words, documenting the conspiracy to commit murder.

What Eli Weaver thought would be the perfect crime—committed by someone else while he established an alibi—began to unravel almost immediately. Modern technology, which he had embraced despite his Amish upbringing, would ultimately be his downfall.

The Affair with Barbara Raber: A Deadly Obsession

To understand why Barbara Weaver was murdered, you need to understand the twisted relationship between Eli Weaver and Barbara Raber—a relationship that would cost one Barbara her life and send the other to prison.

Who Is Barbara Raber?

Barbara Raber was another member of the Amish community who became entangled in Eli Weaver’s web of deception. Like Eli, she was married with her own family responsibilities. Like Eli, she was willing to violate the core principles of her Amish faith to pursue a forbidden relationship.

But Barbara Raber went further than just breaking marriage vows. She was willing to commit the ultimate transgression: taking another person’s life.

Details about Barbara Raber’s background are limited, as she wasn’t a public figure before the murder. What we do know is that she became so obsessed with Eli Weaver that she was willing to do the unthinkable when he asked. Whether this was due to manipulation, genuine belief that they could have a future together, or something darker in her own psychology, we may never fully understand.

The Affair and Its Progression

Eli Weaver and Barbara Raber’s affair likely began in 2007 or early 2008. What made this relationship different from Eli’s other affairs was Barbara Raber’s willingness to actively participate in his fantasies and plans—including, eventually, the plan to murder his wife.

The two communicated extensively through cell phones, a technology forbidden in their Amish community. This secrecy created a bubble where their relationship could escalate without the normal social pressures or accountability that might have stopped it. They weren’t just having an affair; they were creating an alternate reality where murdering Barbara Weaver seemed like a viable solution to their problem.

Text messages recovered by investigators showed disturbing conversations:

• Discussions about different methods to kill Barbara Weaver
• Planning when and how the murder would take place
• Eli’s promises to Barbara Raber about their future together once his wife was dead
• Barbara Raber’s eventual agreement to be the one to pull the trigger

What’s particularly chilling is how casually these conversations took place. They discussed murder the way most people might discuss weekend plans. The banality of their evil communications provided investigators with a clear picture of premeditation.

Why This Affair Was Different

Eli Weaver didn’t just have one affair—he had multiple affairs with multiple women. He used internet dating sites, met women in person, and carried on several simultaneous relationships. He became known as “the Amish Stud,” a nickname that reflected his self-image as someone irresistible to women.

So why did only the affair with Barbara Raber turn deadly?

The answer likely lies in a combination of factors: Barbara Raber’s particular vulnerability to manipulation, Eli’s escalating desire to escape his marriage without the social consequences of divorce, and the dangerous echo chamber created by their secret communications. Each validated the other’s worst impulses. Neither provided a check on increasingly extreme ideas.

In the Amish community, divorce is essentially impossible without being shunned and losing everything. Eli wanted out of his marriage, but he didn’t want to lose his standing in the community or access to his children. In his twisted logic, having his wife murdered—and making it look like a suicide or random crime—was preferable to the honest but difficult path of leaving.

The Murder Plot Takes Shape

The communications between Eli and Barbara Raber show that they discussed killing Barbara Weaver for months before the actual murder. This wasn’t a crime of passion or a momentary loss of control—it was carefully planned, discussed, and ultimately executed.

The plan was relatively simple:

1. Eli would establish an alibi by being away from home
2. Barbara Raber would enter the house and shoot Barbara Weaver
3. They would stage it to look like a suicide
4. With Barbara (wife) dead, Eli and Barbara (mistress) could be together

What they failed to account for was modern forensic investigation and the digital trail they had left behind. Every text message, every email, every phone call created evidence of their conspiracy. The very technology Eli had used to live his double life became the evidence that would convict him.

After the Murder: The Façade Crumbles

In the immediate aftermath of Barbara Weaver’s death, both Eli and Barbara Raber attempted to maintain the fiction that they had nothing to do with the murder. Eli played the grieving husband (though not convincingly enough to fool investigators). Barbara Raber tried to avoid suspicion by staying quiet and following her normal routines.

But within days, investigators had enough evidence to make arrests. The digital communications were too explicit, the forensic evidence too clear, and the suspicious circumstances too obvious. By mid-June 2009, both Eli Weaver and Barbara Raber were in custody, charged with the aggravated murder of Barbara Weaver.

The affair that began with secret phone calls and forbidden romance ended with two murder convictions and life in prison.

The Investigation: How Police Solved the Case

The murder of Barbara Weaver presented unique challenges for the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office. They were dealing with a crime within the Amish community—a population known for being private, insular, and generally reluctant to involve outside law enforcement. Yet the evidence was there, and investigators methodically built their case.

Breaking the Case: Digital Evidence as the Key

In a supreme irony, the very technology that Eli Weaver had embraced in violation of his Amish beliefs became the tool that convicted him. Cell phone records, text messages, and emails provided a clear picture of the murder conspiracy.

Investigators subpoenaed phone records and discovered extensive communications between Eli Weaver and Barbara Raber. The content of these messages left no doubt about their intentions:

Beyond the digital evidence, forensic analysis of the crime scene revealed inconsistencies with suicide. The angle of the gunshot wound, the position of the weapon, and the lack of gunshot residue in expected locations all pointed to homicide, not suicide.

The Arrest of Eli Weaver

Eli Weaver was arrested on June 6, 2009—just four days after his wife’s murder. Despite his attempts to appear grief-stricken and his carefully constructed alibi, investigators had more than enough evidence to charge him with aggravated murder.

Initially, Eli denied any involvement. He tried to portray himself as a devoted husband shocked by his wife’s death. But investigators had his own words—preserved in digital form—showing him planning and orchestrating the murder. There was no talking his way out of this one.

The Amish community was shocked. While they knew Eli had been struggling with their rules and traditions, few could have imagined he would go this far. Murder is antithetical to everything Amish culture represents. Their faith emphasizes peace, non-violence, and forgiveness—concepts that made this crime even more incomprehensible to the community.

The Arrest of Barbara Raber

Barbara Raber was arrested shortly after Eli Weaver. Like Eli, she initially denied involvement, but the evidence against her was overwhelming. She had been the one to pull the trigger, and forensic evidence linked her to the crime scene.

Under questioning, and perhaps realizing the futility of continued denial given the evidence, Barbara Raber eventually confessed to shooting Barbara Weaver. Her confession provided crucial details about how the murder was carried out and confirmed what investigators had already pieced together from other evidence.

Her confession revealed:

• She had agreed to kill Barbara Weaver because Eli convinced her it was the only way they could be together
• She entered the Weaver home in the early morning hours of June 2, 2009
• She shot Barbara Weaver with a .410 shotgun
• She left the weapon at the scene to make it appear to be a suicide
• She had been in communication with Eli before, during, and after the murder

Barbara Raber’s confession was damning not only for herself but for Eli Weaver as well, as it confirmed his role as the mastermind behind the murder.

The “Amish Stud” Revelation

As investigators dug deeper into Eli Weaver’s secret life, they uncovered the full extent of his double life. He had profiles on various dating websites where he portrayed himself as “the Amish Stud”—an exotic, forbidden prospect for women curious about Amish life or attracted to the taboo nature of an affair with a married Amish man.

This nickname, which Eli had apparently given himself or embraced from others, became the way the case was known in media coverage. The “Amish Stud” case became shorthand for the entire sordid affair.

Investigators found evidence of multiple affairs—some brief, others more extended. Eli had been living a double life for years, maintaining his Amish appearance and identity during the day while engaging in decidedly non-Amish behavior behind closed doors and through his secret phones and internet access.

What made this particularly egregious to the Amish community wasn’t just the adultery (though that was bad enough) but the wholesale rejection of Amish values. The Amish believe in separation from the world, simplicity, and humility. Eli’s behavior represented the opposite of all these values. He had embraced modern technology, sought attention and admiration, and lived for himself rather than for his family and community.

The investigation revealed a man so narcissistic and so removed from the values he claimed to hold that he was willing to have his wife murdered rather than face the social consequences of leaving his marriage honestly.

The Trials and Convictions: Justice for Barbara Weaver

The legal proceedings in the Barbara Weaver murder case moved relatively quickly by the standards of capital cases. Both defendants faced charges of aggravated murder, which in Ohio can carry the death penalty. The trials would reveal the full scope of the conspiracy and result in life-altering sentences.

Barbara Raber’s Trial (2010)

Barbara Raber’s trial took place first, in 2010. Given that she had confessed to pulling the trigger, her defense faced an uphill battle. The central question wasn’t whether she had killed Barbara Weaver—she had admitted to that—but rather what degree of guilt she bore and what sentence she deserved.

The prosecution’s case was straightforward and devastating:

• Barbara Raber had entered the Weaver home with a loaded shotgun
• She had shot Barbara Weaver while the victim slept
• She had done so as part of a premeditated conspiracy with Eli Weaver
• Text messages showed she had discussed and planned the murder in advance
• She had attempted to stage the scene to look like a suicide

The defense tried to argue that Barbara Raber had been manipulated by Eli Weaver, portraying her as someone who had fallen under the influence of a charismatic, manipulative man. They suggested she wouldn’t have committed the murder without Eli’s pressure and promises.

While this argument may have contained some truth—Eli clearly manipulated many people around him—it couldn’t erase the fact that Barbara Raber had made the choice to take another person’s life. She had pulled the trigger. She had ended Barbara Weaver’s life and orphaned five children.

The jury found Barbara Raber guilty of aggravated murder. The judge sentenced her to 23 years to life in prison. This meant she would serve a minimum of 23 years before becoming eligible for parole. Given that she was in her mid-30s at the time of sentencing, her first parole hearing would come when she was approaching 60 years old.

As of 2026, Barbara Raber remains incarcerated in an Ohio women’s prison. Her first parole hearing is scheduled for 2029, twenty years after she murdered Barbara Weaver.

Eli Weaver’s Trial (2010)

Eli Weaver’s trial followed Barbara Raber’s, and in many ways, it was even more dramatic. While Eli hadn’t physically pulled the trigger, prosecutors argued—correctly—that he was the true architect of his wife’s murder. He was the one who wanted her dead. He was the one who manipulated Barbara Raber into committing the act. He was the one who stood to gain from his wife’s death.

The evidence against Eli Weaver was overwhelming:

• Text messages showing him initiating and planning the murder
• Multiple witnesses who testified about his affairs and his statements about wanting to be rid of his wife
• Digital evidence of his double life and the “Amish Stud” persona
• Timeline evidence showing his alibi was carefully constructed
• Barbara Raber’s testimony implicating him as the mastermind

Eli’s defense team faced an almost impossible task. They couldn’t deny the evidence—it was too extensive and too clear. Instead, they tried to argue that while Eli may have discussed killing his wife, he never really intended for it to happen, and he bore less responsibility than Barbara Raber, who actually committed the act.

This argument failed spectacularly. The jury saw through Eli’s manipulation, recognizing that he was the driving force behind the murder. Yes, Barbara Raber had pulled the trigger, but she had done so at Eli’s urging, under his manipulation, and as part of his plan.

The jury found Eli Weaver guilty of aggravated murder. But his sentence was harsher than Barbara Raber’s—much harsher.

The judge sentenced Eli Weaver to life in prison WITHOUT the possibility of parole.

This sentence reflected the court’s view that Eli was more culpable than the person who actually pulled the trigger. He had orchestrated everything. He had manipulated Barbara Raber. He had set the wheels in motion. And he had shown no remorse—instead continuing to try to manipulate the situation even after his arrest.

Eli Weaver will never leave prison. He will die behind bars. There is no parole hearing in his future, no possibility of release, no second chance. At approximately 47 years old in 2026, he has spent more than fifteen years in prison and will spend the rest of his life there.

The Legal Significance: Orchestrating vs. Executing

The different sentences for Eli Weaver and Barbara Raber highlight an important legal principle: the person who orders or orchestrates a murder can be—and often is—considered more culpable than the person who physically commits the act.

This sentencing reflects several factors:

• Eli’s role as the manipulator and instigator
• His complete lack of remorse
• The betrayal of his marriage vows and role as a husband
• His willingness to let his children lose their mother for his own selfish desires
• His continued attempts to manipulate the situation even after arrest

The justice system recognized that while Barbara Raber’s actions were heinous, Eli Weaver was the true architect of Barbara Weaver’s death.

Where Are They Now? 2026 Status Update

Seventeen years after Barbara Weaver’s murder, the question everyone asks is: where are the key players in this case today? Here’s the current status as of 2026.

Eli Weaver: Life Behind Bars

Current Status: Eli Weaver is currently incarcerated in an Ohio state correctional facility, serving his sentence of life without the possibility of parole.

At approximately 47 years old in 2026, Eli has spent more than fifteen years in prison. He will spend the rest of his life there—likely another 30-40 years or more. There is no parole hearing in his future. No possibility of release. No second chance.

According to available information:

• He is held in a medium to maximum security facility
• He has been denied any appeals or requests for sentence reduction
• He has had limited contact with his children, if any
• He has not made any significant public statements expressing remorse

The man who called himself “the Amish Stud” and lived for attention and admiration now lives in obscurity, confined to a cell for the rest of his natural life. The double life he led has been replaced by a single, monotonous existence with no prospect of freedom.

Will Eli Weaver ever be released? No. His sentence is life without parole. Barring an unprecedented legal intervention (which is virtually impossible given the evidence and nature of his crime), he will die in prison.

Barbara Raber: Counting Down to a Parole Hearing

Current Status: Barbara Raber is incarcerated in an Ohio women’s correctional facility, serving her sentence of 23 years to life.

As of 2026, she has served approximately 16 years of her sentence. She is now in her 50s and has spent the better part of two decades behind bars for pulling the trigger that ended Barbara Weaver’s life.

Unlike Eli Weaver, Barbara Raber has a potential path to freedom—though whether she will take it remains to be seen. Her first parole hearing is scheduled for 2029, twenty years after the murder.

What happens at a parole hearing?

• The parole board reviews her conduct in prison
• They assess whether she poses a threat to society
• They consider whether she has shown genuine remorse
• They hear statements from victims’ family members (in this case, Barbara Weaver’s family)
• They determine whether she has been rehabilitated

Will Barbara Raber be granted parole in 2029? It’s impossible to predict with certainty, but several factors work against her:

• The heinous nature of the crime (murder for hire/conspiracy)
• She killed a mother of five in her own home
• The premeditated nature of the act
• Potential opposition from Barbara Weaver’s family

However, factors that might work in her favor include:

• Nearly 20 years of imprisonment by the time of the hearing
• Good behavior in prison (if applicable)
• Expressions of remorse and rehabilitation efforts
• The argument that she was manipulated by Eli Weaver

Even if denied parole in 2029, she can typically reapply every few years thereafter. But her sentence of “23 years to life” means she could potentially spend the rest of her life in prison even with the theoretical possibility of parole.

The Five Children: Protected and Private

Perhaps the most heartbreaking aspect of this case is the five children who lost their mother to murder and their father to prison. They were young when the murder occurred—ranging from toddlers to pre-teens—and their lives were forever altered that June night in 2009.

Where are Barbara Weaver’s children now?

Out of respect for their privacy—and in keeping with Amish traditions of protecting family from public scrutiny—detailed information about the children is appropriately limited. What we do know:

• They were raised by extended family members within the Amish community
• The community rallied around them, providing support and stability
• They have been shielded from media attention as much as possible
• They are now young adults or approaching adulthood (the oldest would be in their mid-20s)
• Some or all may have chosen to remain in the Amish community, though this is not confirmed

The Amish community’s strong emphasis on family and mutual aid likely provided these children with more support than they might have received in mainstream society. However, no amount of community support can fully heal the trauma of losing a mother to murder and knowing your father orchestrated it.

These five children are the true victims of Eli Weaver’s narcissism and Barbara Raber’s deadly choices. They lost their mother. They lost their father. They lost their innocence. They lost the childhood they should have had.

The Amish Community: Healing and Moving Forward

The murder of Barbara Weaver sent shockwaves through the Amish communities of Wayne County and Holmes County, Ohio. In a culture where violent crime is virtually nonexistent and murder is unthinkable, this case represented a rupture in the community’s sense of safety and order.

How has the community dealt with the aftermath?

The Amish have a strong tradition of forgiveness, even for the most serious wrongs. This doesn’t mean forgetting what happened or pretending it wasn’t serious—it means choosing not to be consumed by bitterness and hatred. Some members of Barbara Weaver’s family and the broader community may have forgiven Eli Weaver and Barbara Raber, though this doesn’t mean they want them released from prison or believe they shouldn’t face consequences.

The community has also:

• Protected Barbara Weaver’s memory: She is remembered as a devoted mother and faithful member of the community, not defined by how she died
• Cared for her children: Extended family and the community ensured the five children had stable, loving homes
• Maintained privacy: Unlike mainstream society’s tendency toward sensationalism, the Amish community has kept details private and protected survivors from media attention
• Examined their practices: While not widely discussed publicly, the case likely prompted internal discussions about how to handle domestic problems and infidelity within the community

Nearly two decades later, life in the Amish community has returned to its normal rhythms, but the scar left by Barbara Weaver’s murder remains. The case serves as a stark reminder that evil can exist anywhere—even in communities founded on principles of peace and non-violence.

Media Coverage and the “Amish Stud” Phenomenon

The murder of Barbara Weaver and the subsequent trials captured national attention, spawning multiple documentaries, true crime show episodes, and eventually a feature film. The case had all the elements that fascinate the public: sex, betrayal, murder, and the exotic element of the Amish community.

True Crime Television Coverage

The case has been featured on numerous true crime programs, each offering their own angle on the story:

“Snapped: Killer Couples” (2013)
Perhaps the most well-known coverage, this Investigation Discovery episode focused on the relationship between Barbara Raber and Eli Weaver. The episode, titled “Barbara Raber and Eli Weaver,” examined how the affair escalated into murder and featured interviews with investigators and community members.

The “Killer Couples” format was particularly appropriate for this case, as it emphasized how two people enabled each other’s worst impulses, creating a deadly partnership that neither might have acted on alone.

Other True Crime Coverage:

• Investigation Discovery has featured the case on multiple programs
• Oxygen and other true crime networks have produced their own episodes
• YouTube documentaries have analyzed the case from various angles
• True crime podcasts have discussed the case in depth

Each program tends to focus on different aspects: some emphasize the Amish angle, others focus on the manipulation and betrayal, and still others examine the technology element—how cell phones and the internet enabled both the affair and ultimately the conviction.

The 2023 Lifetime Movie: “Amish Stud”

In 2023, Lifetime released “Amish Stud: The Eli Weaver Story,” a dramatized film based on the case. As with most “based on true events” films, the movie took creative liberties with the facts while maintaining the basic story structure.

About the Film:

• Released: 2023 (exact date varies by region)
• Network: Lifetime Movie Network
• Genre: True crime drama
• Focus: The film follows the events leading up to Barbara Weaver’s murder and the subsequent investigation

The movie introduced the case to a new generation of viewers who might not have been aware of the true story. It also sparked renewed interest in the real events, with many viewers searching online for information about what “really happened” versus what was portrayed in the film.

Accuracy vs. Dramatization:
As with most true crime dramatizations, some elements were changed for dramatic effect, time constraints, or privacy concerns. The core facts—an Amish man’s affair, conspiracy to commit murder, and ultimate conviction—remained accurate, but specific dialogue, timeline elements, and character portrayals were adapted for television.

Where to Watch:
The movie periodically airs on Lifetime and is available through various streaming services that carry Lifetime content. Availability varies by region and time.

Books and Written Coverage

While no major book has been solely dedicated to the Barbara Weaver murder (as of 2026), the case has been featured in:

• True crime compilation books focusing on murder conspiracies
• Books about crimes within religious communities
• Regional true crime books covering Ohio cases
• Academic texts examining domestic violence and murder-for-hire schemes

Extensive newspaper coverage at the time of the murder and trials also provides a detailed record of events. Local Ohio newspapers, particularly those serving Wayne County and Holmes County, covered the case extensively.

Why This Case Fascinates People

The Barbara Weaver murder case continues to attract attention for several compelling reasons:

1. The Amish Element
The Amish community is both familiar and mysterious to most Americans. We know they exist, we may have seen them, but few outsiders truly understand their way of life. A murder within this peaceful, traditional community creates a jarring contrast that captures attention.

2. The “Double Life” Narrative
Stories of people living double lives have always fascinated the public. Eli Weaver appeared to be a traditional Amish man by day while conducting multiple affairs and living like a non-Amish person in secret. This duality is inherently dramatic.

3. The Technology Angle
The fact that cell phones and the internet—technologies rejected by the Amish—both enabled the affairs and provided the evidence for conviction adds an ironic twist to the story. Technology was both Eli’s tool and his downfall.

4. The Mistress as Killer
While murder-for-hire schemes are not uncommon, it’s relatively rare for the lover to personally pull the trigger. Barbara Raber’s willingness to actually commit the murder (rather than merely knowing about it or helping plan it) sets this case apart.

5. The Manipulation and Control
Eli Weaver’s ability to manipulate Barbara Raber into committing murder raises disturbing questions about influence, control, and the psychology of manipulation that true crime audiences find compelling.

6. Justice Served
Unlike many true crime cases that remain unsolved or result in controversial verdicts, this case has a clear resolution: both perpetrators were caught, convicted, and appropriately sentenced. There’s a satisfaction in that closure.

Understanding the Amish Context: Why This Case Was So Shocking

To fully understand the impact of Barbara Weaver’s murder, you need to understand the Amish community context. This wasn’t just another murder case—it was a fundamental violation of everything the Amish community represents.

Core Amish Values and Beliefs

The Amish are an Anabaptist Christian denomination known for their commitment to simple living, plain dress, and separation from mainstream society. Their communities, particularly in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Indiana, maintain traditions that have largely remained unchanged for centuries.

Key Amish principles include:

• Gelassenheit: Yielding to God’s will, living humbly, and avoiding pride
• Nonviolence: Absolute commitment to peace, even in the face of persecution
• Community over individual: Decisions are made for the good of the community, not personal desire
• Separation from the world: Avoiding modern conveniences and “English” (non-Amish) influences
• Ordnung: The unwritten rules that govern daily life in the community

Marriage in Amish culture is sacred and permanent. Divorce is not permitted—couples who are unhappy are expected to work through problems with help from the church community. Adultery is a serious sin that can result in shunning if not repented.

The Amish approach to conflict emphasizes forgiveness, reconciliation, and turning the other cheek. Violence of any kind is forbidden, and Amish men are conscientious objectors who refuse to serve in the military. The idea of one Amish person murdering another is almost inconceivable within this framework.

Technology and Temptation

The Amish relationship with technology is more nuanced than many outsiders realize. It’s not that they oppose all technology—rather, they carefully evaluate whether specific technologies will strengthen or weaken their community and faith.

Generally forbidden technologies include:

• Electricity from public power lines (though some use batteries or generators)
• Automobiles (they use horse-drawn buggies)
• Telephones in the home (though community phone shanties may be allowed)
• Cell phones (with rare exceptions for business)
• Internet access (almost universally forbidden)
• Television and radio

The reasoning behind these restrictions is that such technologies can:

• Connect people to the outside world in ways that weaken community bonds
• Expose them to ideas and influences contrary to Amish values
• Foster pride and individualism
• Distract from family, faith, and community

Eli Weaver’s secret use of cell phones and the internet wasn’t just breaking rules—it was rejecting the fundamental reasoning behind those rules. The technology allowed him to conduct affairs, present himself as “the Amish Stud” to outsiders, and ultimately plan his wife’s murder. The Amish community’s concerns about technology’s potential to corrupt were validated in the worst possible way.

Why This Case Was Unprecedented

Murder in Amish communities is extraordinarily rare—so rare that each case becomes national news. The last major case before Barbara Weaver’s murder was the West Nickel Mines School shooting in 2006, but that was committed by a non-Amish person from outside the community.

An Amish person murdering another Amish person is almost unheard of.

The Barbara Weaver case was particularly shocking because:

1. It violated core values: Nonviolence is fundamental to Amish faith
2. It was premeditated: Not a crime of passion but calculated murder
3. It involved technology: Modern tools forbidden by the community enabled the crime
4. It was domestic: A husband orchestrating his wife’s death violated the sanctity of Amish marriage
5. Children were involved: The murder occurred in a home with five children present

The case forced the Amish community to confront uncomfortable questions about how to handle members who secretly violate core principles, how to protect vulnerable members (like Barbara Weaver) who may be trapped in bad situations, and whether their traditional approaches to conflict resolution are adequate for dealing with truly dangerous individuals.

The Amish Response to Crime and Justice

The Amish approach to wrongdoing traditionally emphasizes forgiveness and restoration rather than punishment. They prefer to handle problems within the community when possible, and they generally avoid involvement with outside law enforcement and the legal system.

However, in cases of serious crime—particularly murder—they recognize the need for secular authorities to be involved. While they may forgive the perpetrator (in keeping with Christian teaching), they also understand that actions have consequences and that justice must be served.

In Barbara Weaver’s case:

• Community members cooperated fully with law enforcement
• Witnesses testified in court despite discomfort with the public process
• The community supported prosecution and conviction
• Many likely forgave Eli and Barbara Raber spiritually while still believing they should face legal consequences

The case also highlighted the Amish community’s protective instincts toward their own. They rallied around Barbara Weaver’s children, provided support to her extended family, and worked to shield survivors from media intrusion—all while dealing with their own collective trauma.

Nearly two decades later, the community has moved forward, but they haven’t forgotten. Barbara Weaver’s memory is honored, her children are protected, and the lessons learned from this tragedy continue to inform how the community addresses internal problems.

Photos and Visual Documentation

Note: This section would include photos with proper licensing and attribution. All images would be respectful, not gratuitously graphic, and properly sourced. For actual publication, photos would need to be obtained and licensed appropriately.

Available Images

Barbara Weaver
Limited photos of Barbara Weaver exist in the public domain, as the Amish typically avoid photography due to religious beliefs about graven images. Any photos that do exist would be treated with respect, focusing on memorializing her as a person rather than sensationalizing her death.

Eli Weaver
Mugshot and court appearance photos of Eli Weaver are publicly available through court records and news coverage from the trials. These images show him at various stages of the legal process.

Barbara Raber
Similar to Eli Weaver, mugshots and court photos of Barbara Raber exist and have been published in connection with news coverage of the case.

Crime Scene and Location
Photos of the Weaver home’s exterior (not interior crime scene) and the Apple Creek area provide context about the location where the murder occurred. These would be appropriately captioned and not graphic in nature.

Court Proceedings
Courtroom sketches and exterior courthouse photos document the legal proceedings, as cameras are typically not allowed inside courtrooms.

Media Coverage
Promotional images from the Lifetime movie “Amish Stud” and documentary footage from “Snapped: Killer Couples” show how the case has been portrayed in media.

The Amish Photography Consideration

It’s worth noting that the scarcity of photos in this case reflects Amish religious beliefs. The Amish generally avoid being photographed, viewing it as a form of vanity and a violation of the biblical commandment against graven images. This means that unlike many murder cases where abundant family photos exist, the Barbara Weaver case has limited visual documentation of the victim herself.

This scarcity actually underscores how much Barbara Weaver lived according to her faith and values—even in death, her privacy and the Amish way of life she embodied are partially preserved through the absence of extensive photographic evidence.

Timeline of Events: From Marriage to Murder to Justice

Understanding the chronology of events helps clarify how this tragedy unfolded over years, not just in a single moment.

Conclusion: Remembering Barbara Weaver

Seventeen years after her death, it’s important that we remember Barbara Weaver not just as a victim in a true crime case, but as a real person who lived, loved, and mattered.

She was a mother who devoted herself to her five children. She was a faithful member of her Amish community who tried to live according to the values she was taught. She was a woman trapped in an impossible situation—married to a man who betrayed her repeatedly, in a culture where divorce wasn’t an option, facing social pressure to maintain her marriage no matter the cost.

Barbara Weaver didn’t choose any of what happened to her. She didn’t choose her husband’s infidelities. She didn’t choose his secret life. She didn’t choose his plot to have her killed. She was a victim of someone else’s evil, selfishness, and manipulation.

While Eli Weaver became known as “the Amish Stud”—a nickname that almost seems to glorify his behavior—Barbara Weaver deserves to be remembered by her own name and for her own qualities: devoted mother, faithful friend, hardworking wife, and a woman who deserved so much better than what she received.

The Lasting Impact

The case had ripple effects that continue today:

For the five children: They lost their mother to murder and their father to prison. Now young adults, they carry the burden of this tragedy with them, even as they try to build their own lives.

For the Amish community: The case shattered assumptions about safety within their community and forced difficult conversations about how to handle domestic problems, infidelity, and members who secretly reject community values.

For the justice system: The case demonstrated how digital evidence can solve crimes even in communities that reject modern technology. It also highlighted the principle that those who orchestrate murders can be held more accountable than those who physically commit them.

For society at large: The case serves as a reminder that domestic violence, manipulation, and murder can occur anywhere—even in communities founded on principles of peace and non-violence.

Where Justice Stands

Justice has been served in the legal sense:

• Eli Weaver will spend the rest of his life in prison, never eligible for parole
• Barbara Raber has served 16+ years and faces the possibility of remaining imprisoned for life
• Both were convicted of the most serious charge possible under Ohio law
• The evidence was overwhelming and the convictions are not in doubt

But no amount of prison time can bring Barbara Weaver back. No conviction can give her children their mother back. No sentence can undo the trauma and loss that her death created.

The real question isn’t whether justice was served in court—it clearly was. The question is how we, as a society, can better protect people like Barbara Weaver before it’s too late. How do we identify dangerous situations? How do we help people who are trapped? How do we prevent manipulation and control from escalating to violence?

These are questions without easy answers, but they’re questions worth asking in Barbara Weaver’s memory.

A Final Word

Barbara Weaver lived for 31 years. She was a daughter, a wife, a mother, a friend, a neighbor, and a valued member of her community. She tried to do right by everyone around her, even when her husband was doing wrong by her.

She deserved to watch her children grow up. She deserved to grow old in the community she loved. She deserved to be safe in her own home and her own bedroom.

Instead, she was betrayed by the person who should have protected her most, manipulated out of her life by someone who wanted to take her place, and gunned down in the dark of night while her children slept nearby.

We remember Barbara Weaver. We honor her memory. And we commit to doing better in protecting the vulnerable, identifying the dangerous, and ensuring that no one else suffers the fate she did.

May her memory be a blessing. May her children find peace. And may her story serve as a reminder of the real cost of betrayal, manipulation, and violence.

Rest in peace, Barbara Weaver. You deserved so much better.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available. Contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or visit thehotline.org. In an emergency, call 911.

Frequently Asked Questions About Eli Weaver’s Wife and the “Amish Stud” Case

1. Who was Eli Weaver’s wife?

Answer: Eli Weaver’s wife was Barbara Weaver (born 1976), a devoted Amish mother of five children. She lived in Wayne County, Ohio, and was a faithful member of the Old Order Amish community. Barbara was known for her dedication to her family and her commitment to Amish values. She was murdered on June 2, 2009, at the age of 31.

2. What happened to Barbara Weaver?

Answer: Barbara Weaver was shot and killed in her bedroom on June 2, 2009, at approximately 1:30 AM. She was murdered by Barbara Raber, her husband’s mistress, who pulled the trigger using a .410 shotgun. The murder was orchestrated by Barbara’s husband, Eli Weaver, who wanted his wife dead so he could be with his mistress. Barbara’s five children were in the house at the time, asleep in their rooms.

3. Did Eli Weaver kill his wife?

Answer: Eli Weaver orchestrated his wife’s murder but did not physically kill her. His mistress, Barbara Raber, was the one who pulled the trigger and shot Barbara Weaver. However, Eli planned the murder, manipulated Barbara Raber into committing the act, and established an alibi while the killing took place. He was convicted of aggravated murder and received a harsher sentence than the actual shooter because he was the mastermind behind the crime.

4. Who is Barbara Raber?

Answer: Barbara Raber is the Amish woman who had an affair with Eli Weaver and ultimately shot and killed his wife, Barbara Weaver. She was also married at the time of the affair. Barbara Raber and Eli Weaver communicated through cell phones (forbidden in their Amish community) and planned the murder together over several months. She is currently serving 23 years to life in an Ohio women’s prison and will be eligible for parole in 2029.

5. Is Eli Weaver still in prison?

Answer: Yes, Eli Weaver is still in prison and will remain there for the rest of his life. He is currently incarcerated in an Ohio state correctional facility. He was sentenced in 2010 to life in prison WITHOUT the possibility of parole. This means there is no parole hearing in his future, no chance of early release, and no possibility of freedom. He will die in prison.

6. When will Eli Weaver be released from prison?

Answer: Never. Eli Weaver will never be released from prison. His sentence is life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, which means he will remain incarcerated until his death. There is no release date, no parole eligibility, and no legal mechanism for his release under his current sentence. As of 2026, he has served approximately 16 years of his life sentence and has many more decades ahead of him behind bars.

7. Where is Eli Weaver now in 2026?

Answer: As of 2026, Eli Weaver (approximately 47 years old) is imprisoned in an Ohio state correctional facility serving his life sentence without parole. He has been denied all appeals and remains in custody with no prospect of release. He has had limited or no contact with his five children and lives in relative obscurity compared to his former life as “the Amish Stud.”

8. Where is Barbara Raber now?

Answer: Barbara Raber is currently incarcerated in an Ohio women’s correctional facility. As of 2026, she has served approximately 16 years of her 23-years-to-life sentence. She will become eligible for her first parole hearing in 2029, twenty years after she murdered Barbara Weaver. Whether she will be granted parole at that time is uncertain and will depend on factors including her behavior in prison, expressions of remorse, and input from the victim’s family.

9. How many children did Barbara Weaver have?

Answer: Barbara Weaver had five children with Eli Weaver. At the time of her murder in June 2009, the children ranged in age from toddlers to pre-teens. All five children were in the house on the night their mother was murdered. After the tragedy, they were raised by extended family members within the Amish community. As of 2026, they are now young adults or approaching adulthood, with the oldest being in their mid-20s.

10. Why was Barbara Weaver killed?

Answer: Barbara Weaver was killed because her husband wanted her dead so he could be with his mistress, Barbara Raber. In Amish culture, divorce is essentially forbidden and would have resulted in Eli being shunned by the community and losing access to his children. Rather than face the social consequences of honestly leaving his marriage, Eli conspired with Barbara Raber to murder his wife. His motivation was purely selfish—he wanted to escape his marriage while maintaining his standing in the community and continuing his affairs.

11. What is the “Amish Stud” case?

Answer: The “Amish Stud” case refers to the 2009 murder of Barbara Weaver, orchestrated by her husband Eli Weaver. The nickname “Amish Stud” came from how Eli Weaver portrayed himself online while conducting multiple affairs through dating websites and cell phones—technology forbidden in his Amish community. He presented himself as an exotic, forbidden prospect to women curious about Amish life. The case became known by this name in media coverage because it captured the shocking contrast between Eli’s traditional Amish appearance and his secret, immoral behavior.

12. Is the Eli Weaver story true?

Answer: Yes, the Eli Weaver story is completely true. This is not fiction or sensationalized drama—it’s a real murder case that occurred in Wayne County, Ohio, in 2009. Barbara Weaver was really murdered, Eli Weaver and Barbara Raber were really convicted, and both are really serving prison sentences. Court documents, police reports, trial transcripts, and witness testimonies all confirm the facts of the case. The 2023 Lifetime movie “Amish Stud: The Eli Weaver Story” and various documentaries are based on these real events, though they may take some creative liberties in dramatization.

13. When did Eli Weaver kill his wife?

Answer: Barbara Weaver was killed in the early morning hours of June 2, 2009, at approximately 1:30 AM. While Eli Weaver orchestrated the murder, he did not physically commit it—his mistress Barbara Raber pulled the trigger. Eli was away from the home establishing an alibi at the time of the actual killing. The murder was discovered later that morning when one of the Weaver children found their mother’s body.

14. Will Barbara Raber get parole?

Answer: It’s impossible to predict with certainty, but Barbara Raber faces significant obstacles to receiving parole. Her first parole hearing is scheduled for 2029. Factors working against her include: the premeditated nature of the murder, killing a mother of five in her own home, and potential opposition from the victim’s family. Factors that might work in her favor include: serving 20 years by that time, any demonstrated remorse and rehabilitation, good behavior in prison, and the argument that she was manipulated by Eli Weaver. Even if denied in 2029, she can reapply for parole in subsequent years.

15. What happened to Barbara Weaver’s children?

Answer: After their mother’s murder, the five Weaver children were raised by extended family members within the Amish community. The community rallied around them, providing support and stability during an impossibly difficult time. Out of respect for their privacy—and in keeping with Amish traditions—detailed information about their current lives is limited and appropriately protected. As of 2026, they are young adults navigating life while carrying the burden of having lost their mother to murder and their father to prison.

16. Where did the murder happen?

Answer: The murder occurred at the Weaver family home in the Apple Creek area of Wayne County, Ohio. This region is part of the large Amish settlement in Holmes County and surrounding areas—one of the largest Amish communities in the world. Barbara Weaver was shot in her bedroom while her five children slept elsewhere in the house. The location is significant because murder is extremely rare in Amish communities, making this case particularly shocking to both the local community and the nation.

17. Is there a movie about Eli Weaver?

Answer: Yes. Lifetime released a movie called “Amish Stud: The Eli Weaver Story” in 2023. The film dramatizes the events leading up to Barbara Weaver’s murder, the investigation, and the aftermath. Like most “based on true events” movies, it takes some creative liberties with dialogue, timeline, and characterization, but the core facts remain accurate. The case has also been featured in multiple documentaries, including an episode of “Snapped: Killer Couples” on Investigation Discovery in 2013.

18. How was Eli Weaver caught?

Answer: Eli Weaver was caught through digital evidence—specifically text messages and emails between him and Barbara Raber that explicitly discussed planning the murder. In a supreme irony, the cell phones and internet that Eli used (forbidden in Amish culture) became the evidence that convicted him. Investigators also found forensic evidence at the crime scene that contradicted the staged suicide scenario. Barbara Raber’s eventual confession confirmed Eli’s role as the mastermind. He was arrested just four days after his wife’s murder.

19. Why couldn’t Eli Weaver just get divorced?

Answer: In Old Order Amish communities, divorce is essentially forbidden and considered a grave sin. An Amish person who divorces faces “shunning”—being cut off from family, friends, and the entire community. This would mean losing his social standing, his support system, and likely much of his access to his children. For someone raised Amish, the prospect of shunning is devastating. However, rather than face these consequences honestly or work to save his marriage, Eli chose the evil path of having his wife murdered so he could maintain his position in the community while being free to pursue his affairs.

20. What sentence did each person receive?

Answer: The sentences reflect the court’s view of each person’s culpability:

• Eli Weaver: Life in prison WITHOUT the possibility of parole (will die in prison)
• Barbara Raber: 23 years to life (eligible for parole in 2029, but may serve life)

Eli received the harsher sentence despite not pulling the trigger because he was the mastermind who orchestrated everything, manipulated Barbara Raber, and showed no remorse. The court recognized him as the more culpable party.

21. Were there other women besides Barbara Raber?

Answer: Yes, Eli Weaver had multiple affairs with multiple women, both Amish and non-Amish. He used cell phones, internet dating sites, and secret meetings to conduct these relationships while maintaining his public image as a traditional Amish man. He portrayed himself online as “the Amish Stud,” and investigators found evidence of numerous affairs when they examined his digital communications. Barbara Raber was not his only mistress—she was simply the one who was willing to commit murder for him.

22. How did the Amish community react?

Answer: The Amish community was shocked and devastated. Murder is almost unheard of in Amish communities, which are founded on principles of peace and non-violence. The community cooperated fully with law enforcement during the investigation, supported the prosecution, and rallied around Barbara Weaver’s children to provide care and stability. While the Amish faith emphasizes forgiveness (and some may have spiritually forgiven Eli and Barbara Raber), this didn’t mean they opposed legal justice or wanted the perpetrators to escape consequences. The case forced difficult conversations about how to handle members who secretly violate community values.

23. Can Barbara Weaver’s children visit their father in prison?

Answer: While it’s technically possible for the children to visit Eli Weaver in prison, there is no public information indicating whether they choose to do so. Given that their father orchestrated their mother’s murder, it’s understandable if they have chosen not to maintain a relationship with him. The children are now adults or near-adults and can make their own decisions about whether to have any contact with their father. The Amish community and their extended family have likely respected whatever choices the children have made regarding this deeply personal matter.

24. Are there photos of Barbara Weaver?

Answer: Very limited photos exist because the Amish generally avoid photography based on religious beliefs about graven images. Any photos that do exist in the public domain are limited and should be viewed respectfully as memorial images of a murder victim, not sensationalized crime scene material. Photos of Eli Weaver (mugshots, court photos) and Barbara Raber (similar legal documentation photos) are more readily available as they became part of public court records.

25. Has Eli Weaver ever expressed remorse?

Answer: No credible public expressions of genuine remorse have been reported. Throughout his trial, Eli attempted to manipulate the situation and minimize his responsibility. His sentence of life without parole partially reflects the court’s view that he showed no remorse and continued to try to manipulate even after being caught. Any private expressions of remorse (if they exist) have not been made public. His lack of remorse stands in stark contrast to the devastation he caused—five children without a mother, a woman’s life taken, and an entire community traumatized.

Related Questions People Also Ask

What is the Snapped: Killer Couples episode about Eli Weaver?

The Investigation Discovery show “Snapped: Killer Couples” featured an episode about Barbara Raber and Eli Weaver in 2013. The episode examines how their affair escalated into murder and includes interviews with investigators and details about the case.

Where can I watch documentaries about the case?

The case has been featured on Investigation Discovery, Oxygen, and various true crime shows. The Lifetime movie “Amish Stud: The Eli Weaver Story” is available on Lifetime and streaming services that carry Lifetime content. Multiple YouTube documentaries also cover the case.

Did Barbara Weaver know about the affairs?

Yes, according to testimony, Barbara Weaver was aware of at least some of her husband’s affairs and had confronted him about them. She tried to work through the problems and sought help from their church community, but in Amish culture, divorce wasn’t an option, leaving her in an impossible situation.

Was this the first Amish murder case?

No, but murder within Amish communities is extremely rare. The most well-known previous case was the 2006 West Nickel Mines School shooting, but that was committed by a non-Amish outsider. An Amish person murdering another Amish person is almost unprecedented, which is why the Barbara Weaver case attracted such national attention.

What happened to the Weaver family home?

Information about the specific property is not widely publicized out of respect for the surviving children and family members. It’s common for properties where murders occurred to be sold or demolished, but specific details about the Weaver home are kept private.

Did Eli Weaver try to appeal his conviction?

Yes, like most convicted murderers, Eli Weaver filed appeals attempting to overturn his conviction or reduce his sentence. All appeals have been denied. The evidence against him was overwhelming—his own text messages and emails documented the murder conspiracy—making successful appeals virtually impossible.

Understanding the Legal Terms

Aggravated Murder: The most serious category of murder under Ohio law, typically involving premeditation, murder-for-hire, or killing during another felony. Both Eli Weaver and Barbara Raber were convicted of aggravated murder, which carries severe penalties including life imprisonment or death.

Life Without Parole: A sentence that means the person will remain in prison until they die naturally. There are no parole hearings, no possibility of early release, and no legal mechanism for freedom under this sentence.

23 Years to Life: A sentence that requires serving a minimum of 23 years before becoming eligible for a parole hearing. This doesn’t guarantee release after 23 years—it means the person can apply for parole at that point. They may be denied and remain imprisoned for life.

Conspiracy to Commit Murder: When two or more people plan and agree to commit murder together. Both the person who physically commits the murder and the person who plans/orchestrates it can be charged with the same crime.

Shunning (Meidung): The Amish practice of cutting off social contact with someone who has violated community rules and refused to repent. This can include family members refusing to eat at the same table, do business with, or maintain normal social relations with the shunned person.

If You Need Help

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, manipulation, or feeling trapped in a dangerous relationship, help is available:

• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE) | Text “START” to 88788 | TheHotline.org
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988 (call or text)
• Crisis Text Line: Text “HELLO” to 741741
• In immediate danger: Call 911

Barbara Weaver’s story reminds us that anyone can be at risk, even in communities that seem safe. If something feels wrong, trust your instincts and reach out for help. You don’t have to face it alone.