The Shocking True Story of the 'Amish Stud' and His Deadly Plot

Eli Weaver's mugshot. Photo Courtesy of Wayne County (Ohio) Sheriff's Department. Public domain.

When you think of the Amish, murder and deceit probably aren't the first things that come to mind. But beneath the quiet, humble exterior of one Amish man, Eli Weaver, lurked a shocking secret life filled with infidelity, betrayal, and a deadly plot to kill his wife. As a self-proclaimed "Amish Stud," Weaver's double life was exposed when his affair with a married Mennonite woman took a dark turn, leading to one of the most twisted murder conspiracies the Amish community has ever seen. How did this quiet family man turn into a cold-blooded conspirator?

Eli Weaver's Double Life

Eli Weaver was not your typical Amish man and lived a secret double life far removed from the traditional values of his faith. His relationship with his wife, Barbara Weaver, had been rocky, largely due to his extramarital affairs, which he made no effort to conceal.

Eli Weaver's marriage to Barbara was plagued by infidelity from the start, with his wild behavior beginning as early as their dating years during his Rumspringa. While Barbara was deeply committed to their Amish way of life, Eli craved the forbidden. He partied, pursued women outside their faith, and cheated on her not once, but twice during their marriage. His alleged reckless actions even led to him being shunned from the Amish community, only to beg the elders for re-entry.

According to those who knew Barbara and her deeply rooted Amish values, she never considered divorce an option, though the infidelity left her both hurt and fearful. As tensions mounted, Barbara suspected Eli was cheating again just before her tragic death. Neighbors believed his attraction to the forbidden ultimately drove his dangerous behavior.

An Illicit Affair Turns Deadly

Eli's infidelity wasn't an isolated case; it was part of a broader pattern. He had numerous affairs, often using a secret cell phone to meet women online. But it was his affair with Barbara Raber, a married Mennonite woman, that turned deadly.

Raber, who worked as a taxi driver for the Amish community, became more than just a lover — she was a willing accomplice in Eli's plot to murder his wife. Their relationship quickly spiraled into a murder conspiracy, fueled by Eli's intense obsession and growing desire to free himself from his marriage. According to Eli's attorney, if he had left his marriage, he would have been shunned, but if his wife died, he would be embraced by the Amish community.

The Murder Plot Unfolds

In 2009, Weaver made a decision that would shock both his Amish community and the world – he enlisted Raber to kill his wife, promising that they could be together without the burden of his marriage. On June 2, 2009, while Weaver went fishing with friends (so he would have an alibi), Raber entered the Weaver home and shot Barbara in cold blood as she slept. Eli Weaver had meticulously crafted the plan, ensuring his alibi was airtight and relying on Raber to carry out the crime.

Raber initially told police her affair with Eli Weaver had ended months before the murder, and she claimed to be home with her husband that night. However, new revelations quickly unraveled that story. Dandi Heasley, one of Eli's former flings, contacted authorities after meeting him on a dating site where he called himself an "Amish Stud." Using a secret cell phone, Eli had confided in her about his unhappiness in marriage and hinted at wanting his wife dead.

Investigators had Heasley lure Eli into calling her, leading them to his secret phone — registered in Raber's name. The phone records revealed ongoing contact between Eli and Raber, with messages clearly plotting Barbara's murder.

Justice Is Served

Eli and Raber were both arrested and charged in connection with the murder. Eli pleaded guilty to complicity to commit aggravated murder, receiving 15 years to life prison sentence. Raber, the one who pulled the trigger, was sentenced to life in prison for her role in the murder.

References: Why Did 'Amish Stud' Eli Weaver Plot to Have His Wife Murdered? | Self-Described 'Amish Stud' Plots With Married Mennonite Lover To Murder His Wife