Dustin Neal: Man receives 142 years in prison for 2017 robbery and murder of Fort Wayne couple
Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.
FORT WAYNE, INDIANA: A 35-year-old man has been sentenced to 142 years in prison for the robbery and murder of a Fort Wayne couple in 2017.
In February, a jury found Dustin Neal guilty of two counts each of felony murder, murder, and robbery.
The evening prior to the murders, Neal was socializing at the home of Bryan Lash, aged 29, and Noele Trice, aged 25.
Police reported that Neal left the premises and returned just before 10 am on June 10, 2017, in search of high-grade marijuana believed to be in the home.
Tragically, both Lash and Trice were fatally stabbed during the incident as per WFFT.
What happened to the Fort Wayne couple?
Before 10 am on June 10, 2017, the police visited the residence of Bryan Lash and Noele Trice. Tragically, both Bryan and Noele had been stabbed to death, and blood was found throughout the house.
Dustin Neal, a resident of Fort Wayne, has been apprehended by the police. He is accused of unlawfully entering the couple's residence in 2017 with the intention of stealing marijuana and subsequently murdering them.
Following his arrest in Wells County, Dustin Neal was charged with two counts of murder and two counts of robbery.
Investigators talked with family members of the deceased couple
When investigators interviewed family members, they reported that the deceased couple had hosted guests the previous night for a barbecue and to watch a basketball game between the Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The family visited the house the following morning because Bryan Lash and Noele Trice were expected to meet them at the New Haven Canal Days but failed to appear.
According to one family member who spoke to the police, Trice had been selling high-quality marijuana from their residence, and it was noted that a large TV and VCR were missing from the house.
According to WFFT, the police have stated that they identified Dustin Neal as one of the individuals present at the party.
Trice's cell phone was discovered in the house, and the print on the phone matched Dustin Neal's palm print.
Neal stated that he had known Trice for approximately 20 years and visited their home nearly every day.
He also admitted to knowing that she was selling marijuana from the house and stated that there were between 2 to 3 pounds of high-grade marijuana, valued at approximately $4,000 per pound.
Dustin Neal informed the investigators that he departed from the house around midnight and did not return.
What did the police report after speaking with Dustin Neal's friend?
The police interviewed a friend of Dustin Neal who stated that he arrived home from work around 3 am and found Neal in his trailer.
On July 30, 2018, another witness informed the police that Neal had called them around 8 am on June 10, before the victims' bodies were discovered, inquiring about a quick sale of 1 to 2 pounds of marijuana.
The witness mentioned that it was surprising because Neal was financially strapped and was consuming cocaine.
On October 3, 2022, the police received a crucial tip. Another witness stated that they were present with Neal and the friend at the friend's trailer when the friend admitted to burning clothes following the murders.
The witness claimed that the friend boasted that Neal had killed the couple and stolen 3 pounds of marijuana.
According to the affidavit, Neal entered their home through the window, presuming it to be vacant. However, Lash woke up, leading Neal to stab him. When Trice woke up, Neal allegedly stabbed her in the head, as per the witness's account.
In October 2023, police reported that an FBI analysis of Neal's phone revealed that he visited the friend's home around 3 am and subsequently returned to the victim's residence between 6:20 am and 7:04 am, before returning once more to the friend's home.
