In the quiet community of Saint-Croix, Indiana, the life of 62-year-old David L. Weedman, a male, came to a tragic and unexpected end. On March 4, 2017, Weedman was discovered deceased in his home from what initially appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was a local business owner, having operated Weedman's Trash Service and formerly Weedman's Auto Body.
However, suspicions surrounding the circumstances of his death soon arose among investigators.
Family and friends pointed out a significant detail that contradicted the suicide theory: David Weedman was left-handed, yet the gun was found in his right hand. An autopsy performed on March 7 confirmed these suspicions, revealing that the fatal gunshot wound was not consistent with being self-inflicted. This pivotal finding transformed the case into a homicide investigation, prompting the Perry County Sheriff's Department to seek assistance from the Indiana State Police.
The investigation quickly zeroed in on an acquaintance of Weedman, 45-year-old Randal L. Coalter of Tell City. It was determined that Weedman was last seen alive on March 1, 2017, in the company of Coalter and his girlfriend, Nicki Anderson, at a local bar. Investigators learned that a physical altercation had occurred between Weedman and Coalter at Weedman's home on that same day.
As the investigation progressed, Coalter and Anderson were brought in for questioning. While they initially attempted to maintain the narrative of suicide, Anderson eventually testified against Coalter, stating that he had admitted to shooting Weedman in the face. Based on this and other evidence gathered, Randal L. Coalter was arrested on March 21, 2017, and charged with murder.
On September 8, 2017, Randal L. Coalter was sentenced to 60 years in prison for the murder of David Weedman. The case, which shocked the small town, was later featured in an episode of 'Murder in the Heartland' titled 'Unbrotherly Behavior,' detailing the story of a friendship that ended in a senseless act of violence.
