The Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed the murder conviction of Bruce Mendenhall on March 12 for the killing of Indianapolis woman Carma Purpura, according to a statement released by Attorney General Todd Rokita’s office on Mar. 23.
The decision means that Mendenhall, an Illinois man implicated in multiple deaths across several states, will remain convicted for Purpura’s death. The ruling is significant for families seeking justice and highlights the ongoing efforts by state officials to ensure accountability in serious criminal cases.
Attorney General Todd Rokita said, “Monsters walk among us. It’s the job of our criminal justice system to identify them, hold them accountable, and keep our communities safe. For the sake of Carma Purpura and all Hoosier victims, our team will continue doing its part on the appeals front.” Rokita also expressed gratitude to Deputy Attorney General Michelle Hawk Kazmierczak for her work on this case, as well as Criminal Appeals Section Chief Kelly Loy and Chief Counsel of Appeals Angela Sanchez.
According to details from the release, Mendenhall was stopped by police at a Nashville truck stop in Tennessee in 2007. A search of his semi-truck uncovered women’s clothing covered in blood. Mendenhall admitted he had picked up a woman at an Indianapolis truck stop who was later shot with his rifle; remains identified as Carma Purpura were found near I-65 in southern Kentucky.
Prosecution against Mendenhall in Indiana was paused while he faced trial and received two life sentences for other murders committed in Tennessee. Indiana resumed prosecution in 2021 leading to his conviction for Purpura’s murder. On appeal, Mendenhall argued that there was insufficient evidence establishing Indiana jurisdiction over the crime and challenged evidence obtained from his vehicle search; both arguments were rejected by the court.
Mendenhall is also suspected of involvement in several other women’s deaths.
