Barbara Marie Opel was born in the early 1960s in the United States. Before her arrest and conviction, she lived in Everett, Washington, where she was employed as a live-in caregiver for Jerry Duane Heimann, a 64-year-old man suffering from terminal cancer. She also cared for Heimann’s elderly mother, who was 89 years old at the time. Opel, who was a single mother, had three children of her own and was facing ongoing financial difficulties. Those who knew her described her as struggling to make ends meet and often displaying erratic behavior.

By 2001, Opel was in severe debt and increasingly desperate for money. Heimann trusted her deeply and allowed her to manage aspects of his home life. It was later revealed that she had knowledge of a $40,000 sum of money belonging to him, which became her motive for orchestrating his murder. Instead of attempting to steal it directly, Opel made the shocking decision to recruit a group of teenagers, including her 13-year-old daughter Heather, to carry out the killing for her.

Friends and acquaintances later told investigators that Opel had repeatedly made comments expressing hatred or resentment toward Heimann, frequently saying, “I wish he was dead.” 

In April 2001, Barbara Opel devised a plan to murder Jerry Heimann to gain access to his financial assets. She enlisted the help of five teenagers, including her 13-year-old daughter, Heather Opel. Opel promised various rewards: Heather was to receive a dirt bike, while others were offered money and goods.

On April 13, 2001, the group ambushed Heimann as he entered his home. They attacked him with baseball bats and knives, resulting in his death. Opel's younger children, aged 7 and 11, were instructed to assist in cleaning up the crime scene. The perpetrators then disposed of Heimann's body on the Tulalip Reservation.

The crime was discovered when one of Opel's younger children informed the police, leading to the arrest of Opel and the teenagers involved.

During her trial, Opel denied orchestrating the murder, despite evidence to the contrary. On April 8, 2003, she was convicted of aggravated first-degree murder. The prosecution sought the death penalty; however, the jury could not reach a unanimous decision, resulting in a life sentence without the possibility of parole.

The teenagers involved received varying sentences:

Heather Opel (13 years old): Pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and was sentenced to 22 years in prison. In April 2022, her sentence was reduced to 20 years, leading to her early release.
Jeffrey Grote (17 years old): Pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and received a 50-year sentence.
Marriam Oliver (14 years old): Pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 22 years. In 2013, a clemency board recommended reducing her sentence, but the governor denied the petition.
Kyle Boston (14 years old): Pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to over 18 years. He has since been released.
Unnamed Cousin (13 years old): Tried as a juvenile and released at the age of 21.

Barbara Opel remains incarcerated, serving her life sentence without the possibility of parole.