In the winter of 2017, the life of 21-year-old Chase Aliano was tragically cut short in a secluded cabin in Greene County, Indiana. Concerns for the young man's welfare began to mount when his mother had not heard from him since January 31st. This uncharacteristic silence prompted his family to report him missing. The investigation into his disappearance took a grim turn when his body was discovered.
An autopsy would later reveal a brutal end; Chase had been shot six or seven times, with a fatal wound to his head. The report also noted the presence of hydrocodone, amphetamine, and a high level of methamphetamine in his system at the time of his death.
The focus of the investigation soon turned to William Levi Abel, a 24-year-old man who lived on a large family farm in Greene County, where the cabin was located. During initial interviews with law enforcement, Abel provided a series of conflicting stories. He initially claimed that Chase had left with an unknown woman and had taken Abel's handgun to have a scope mounted on it. He also alleged that he had given Chase $350 to purchase controlled substances in Indianapolis. Abel's story, however, began to unravel under further questioning and as physical evidence came to light.
As investigators pressed on, Abel's account shifted dramatically. He then claimed that Chase, for no apparent reason, had pointed a handgun at him and fired at least twice. Abel asserted that he then acted in self-defense, shooting Chase with a different handgun. However, the forensic evidence contradicted this narrative. The autopsy revealed that most of the gunshot wounds were to Chase's right side, entering at a downward angle, which was inconsistent with a face-to-face shootout. Eventually, Abel admitted that he must have shot Chase multiple times as he lay on the ground. Evidence found at the scene, including Chase's DNA on leaves and a railroad tie near the cabin, further implicated Abel.
William Abel was arrested and charged with the murder of Chase Aliano. During his trial, the prosecution presented the compelling evidence that had been gathered, highlighting the inconsistencies in Abel's statements and the forensic findings that refuted his claim of self-defense. The jury was convinced of his guilt, taking only 25 minutes to return a guilty verdict for murder. Abel was also found guilty of obstruction of justice and theft of a firearm. For his crimes, he was sentenced to an aggregate of eighty years in prison, bringing a measure of justice to the family of Chase Aliano.
