Bio 

Perry Steven Miller was born on October 14, 1947, in the United States. By November 1990, Miller was living with his stepson, William Harmon, and Rodney Wood. Wood had been staying at Miller’s home for about three months. During that time, Wood and Harmon were involved in burglaries and thefts.

Miller, Harmon, and Wood later discussed robbing the White Hen Pantry in Valparaiso, Indiana. According to court records, the plan included taking the store clerk to a remote place where she could be sexually assaulted and killed.

Miller was older than the two younger men and was later described as the main adult figure in the crime. He drove the group, took part at the construction site, and helped direct what happened to Christel Helmchen.

Murder Story

On November 14, 1990, 19-year-old Christel Helmchen was working alone overnight at the White Hen Pantry in Valparaiso, Indiana. Around 1:20 a.m., a police officer found that she was missing from the store. Later that day, her body was found at a construction site near U.S. Highway 6.

Christel had been sexually assaulted and badly injured. She died from a shotgun wound to the head. The investigation led police to Rodney Wood and William Harmon, who had been staying at Perry Steven Miller’s home. Christel’s checkbook was found in Miller’s driveway, and Wood and Harmon were later arrested in Kentucky in a stolen car that contained some of Christel’s clothing.

Wood made a plea agreement and gave a statement to police. He said that Miller, Harmon, and Wood had discussed robbing the White Hen Pantry. He also said the plan included taking the clerk to a secluded place.

According to court records, Miller drove Wood and Harmon to the store and waited outside. Wood and Harmon robbed Christel at gunpoint and forced her into her own vehicle. Miller followed them as they drove to the construction site.

At the construction site, Christel was tied, assaulted, beaten, and tortured. Court records described Miller as taking part in the assault and helping direct what happened. Harmon later fired the shotgun shot that killed her.

In 1991, Miller was convicted of murder, criminal confinement, rape, criminal deviate conduct, robbery, and conspiracy to commit murder. He was sentenced to death for the murder and also received additional prison terms.

Miller appealed his case for years. In 2001, a federal appeals court ruled that his trial lawyer had been ineffective and ordered a new trial. After that ruling, Miller entered a guilty plea. On August 7, 2001, Miller was resentenced to 138 years in prison.