Alan Lehman Matheney was born on November 6, 1950, in the United States. Little is known about his early life, but as he grew older, he developed a history of domestic violence and criminal behavior. He was previously married to Lisa Bianco, with whom he had two children. Their marriage ended due to repeated domestic abuse and confinement incidents, leading Bianco to seek protection from him.

In 1987, Matheney was convicted of battery and confinement for assaulting and forcibly detaining Bianco, crimes that underscored his inability to let go of their relationship. He was sentenced to eight years in prison and served his term at Pendleton Correctional Facility in Indiana. While incarcerated, prison officials noted his erratic behavior and fixation on Bianco, but he did not meet the legal definition of insanity.

During psychological evaluations, one psychiatrist diagnosed him with schizophreniform disorder, while another described him as having a paranoid personality disorder with psychotic delusions. Despite these findings, both experts agreed that Matheney was legally sane and aware of his actions. He continued to harbor paranoid beliefs, claiming that his ex-wife and others were conspiring against him.

On March 4, 1989, Alan Matheney was given an eight-hour furlough from Pendleton Correctional Facility. Instead of following the permitted travel plans, he traveled over 100 miles to Mishawaka, Indiana, where his ex-wife, Lisa Bianco, lived. Unbeknownst to her, Matheney had already made threats against her life, and his early release allowed him the opportunity to carry them out.

Upon arriving in Mishawaka, Matheney broke into Bianco’s home, catching her completely off guard. Terrified, she fled into the street, desperately trying to escape. However, Matheney pursued her in broad daylight, while neighbors and their two children watched in horror. As Bianco pleaded for help, Matheney brutally beat her to death with a stolen .410 bore shotgun, using it as a bludgeon rather than firing it.

The murder, witnessed by multiple people, sent shockwaves through the community. Law enforcement quickly apprehended Matheney, and he was charged with burglary and murder. Despite his attempts to appeal the conviction, the courts upheld his death sentence.

For the next 16 years, Matheney’s appeals wound through the courts. He consistently maintained that he had been mentally unstable, but all petitions for retrial or clemency were denied. On September 24, 2005, the Indiana Supreme Court rejected his final appeal in a unanimous 5–0 decision. Three days later, Governor Mitch Daniels denied clemency.

Matheney declined to appear before the Indiana Parole Board for his final hearing. Shortly before his execution, he released a written statement expressing love for his family and remorse for the pain he caused them. On September 28, 2005, at 12:27 a.m., Alan Lehman Matheney was executed by lethal injection at the Indiana State Prison in Michigan City. His last words were, “I love my family and my children. I’m sorry for the pain I’ve caused them. I thank my friends who stood by me.”

In response to the egregious failure that allowed a violent offender temporary freedom, state lawmakers passed new laws requiring that victims be notified of an inmate’s release. Additionally, Bianco’s family received a $900,000 settlement from the state of Indiana due to the mishandling of Matheney’s furlough.