At a Glance
- Barbara Raber, a former Amish driver, shot her lover Eli Weaver’s wife while he staged an alibi on a fishing trip.
- Text messages showed the pair plotted poisoning or carbon-monoxide before choosing a 12-gauge shotgun.
- Raber received 23 years to life; Eli testified against her and was sentenced to 15 years to life.
- Why it matters: The case exposes how isolation and strict religious rules can turn infidelity into a deadly conspiracy.
Barbara Weaver was found dead in her bed on June 2, 2009, a single shotgun blast ending her life while her five children were nearby. Within days, investigators zeroed in on her husband’s longtime mistress, Barbara Raber, a woman once raised Amish who now drove neighbors for cash. The murder plan, hatched over secret texts, shattered an insular Ohio community and landed both lovers behind bars.
From Taxi Lady to Lover
Raber left the Amish fold after marriage but stayed close, shuttling Amish passengers in rural Ohio. Locals called her the “taxi lady,” according to Snapped: Killer Couples. Eli Weaver became a repeat customer, and the rides turned into an affair that stretched years. By 2009, Eli had married Barbara Weaver in 1999 and fathered five children, yet kept a hidden phone where he styled himself “Amish Stud.”
Multiple Affairs Uncovered
- Dandi Heasley and several other women later told investigators they, too, had slept with Eli.
- Eli’s secret social-media account and a trove of texts revealed overlapping relationships.
- Despite the affairs, Weaver refused divorce, believing marriage was lifelong.
Plot to Kill
Divorce is taboo among the Amish, so Eli sought a “clean” exit. On his hidden phone, he and Raber discussed methods:
- Poison in food
- Carbon-monoxide in the house
- 12-gauge shotgun
The night before the murder, Eli texted instructions on deleting messages and told Raber how to slip inside the unlocked back door.
Timeline of June 2, 2009
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 5:00 a.m. | Eli kisses Weaver goodbye, leaves for “fishing trip” |
| 7:30 a.m. | Raber enters with her husband’s shotgun |
| 8:00 a.m. | One of the Weaver children discovers mother in bed |
| 8:12 a.m. | Paramedics pronounce Weaver dead |
Arrests and Confessions
Deputies found no forced entry, and Weaver’s sister quickly flagged Eli’s affairs. Raber’s fingerprints turned up inside the home, leading to her confession that the shooting was an accident. She claimed she only wanted to scare Weaver, but the gun “went off.” Prosecutors argued the duo planned every detail.
Trials and Outcomes
On June 10, 2009, both were arrested and charged with aggravated murder. Eli cut a deal:
- Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to murder
- Agreed to testify against Raber
- Received 15 years to life
At Raber’s September trial, the jury sided with the state, convicting her of aggravated murder and handing down 23 years to life.
Where They Are Now
- Barbara Raber: Ohio Reformatory for Women, Marysville; eligible for parole April 2032
- Eli Weaver: Grafton Correctional Institution; parole hearing scheduled February 2032
The story became the 2023 Lifetime movie Amish Stud: The Eli Weaver Story, streaming on Netflix since January 15.
Key Takeaways
- Text messages formed the backbone of the prosecution’s case, proving premeditation.
- Cultural pressure against divorce pushed the pair toward murder instead of separation.
- Both killers will be eligible for parole within months of each other in 2032, ensuring Weaver’s children will face parole hearings as adults.
