Homicide Hunter: American Detective is examining the murder of Tera Lewandowski, who was brutally stabbed to death by Daniel “DJ” Meyer and his motorcycle gang in the small town of Pierce, Colorado.
In late September 2015, Lewandowski had just moved into a new home. She was renting a room from Meyer and his girlfriend, Crystal Griffin. She and Meyer were both recovering addicts, and Lewandowski was looking forward to a fresh start.
A week later, the 34-year-old Lewandowski failed to show up for a doctor’s appointment and was never seen alive again. Her body was found six months later in the snowy hills of Wyoming, about 100 miles from Pierce.
She had been stabbed multiple times before being wrapped up in a carpet and left in an open grave.
Meyer was a former Pierce Town Board member and a member of the 21 gang, which apparently masqueraded as a motorcycle gang. The gang included Meyer, Michael Vassil, Thomas Vassil, and Chad Iler, and the group was aided in the killing by teenager Karly Hanchett.
Meyer told Lewandowski’s mother that she had moved out, but when the police initially questioned him, he claimed he dropped her off in Greeley, CO, so that she could buy drugs. The cops were instantly suspicious as to why his story changed.
Motive for why Daniel Meyer killed Tera Lewandowski remains unknown
The reasons for the murder are unclear. Meyer reportedly told the cops that the murder was approved by the gang leader following an argument with Lewandowski over drugs. However, the Weld County DA said the gang murdered their victim over some perceived insult by Lewandowski.
Watch the Latest on our YouTube ChannelAssistant District Attorney Robb Miller later said, “This crime is absolutely senseless. I still can not fathom why they murdered her.”
The police claimed a total of seven people were involved in the planning of the murder, followed by the disposal of the remains. After the killing, the gang members burned all of Lewandowski’s belongings in an open fire pit.
Teenager Hanchett struck Lewandowski on the head with a pipe before Meyer stabbed her repeatedly.
DA Miller explained that “[Meyer] killed his defenseless roommate in a dark room in the middle of the night. He intentionally stabbed her. He offered to do it all to make a name for this gang – a gang with a bunch of nobodies.”
Daniel Meyer and the 21 Gang sentenced for killing Tera Lewandowski
In May 2017, Meyer was finally found guilty of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder. He was sentenced to life in prison without parole plus 48 years.
After the sentencing, Lewandowski’s mother, Vonda Holt, said, “It took going through all of this to get the answer I already knew. We got justice for Tera, and she can finally rest.”
The six other defendants in the case, Thomas Vassil, Michael Vassil, Karly Hanchett, Scott Hanchett, Chad Iler, and Crystal Griffin, were all charged and are serving a total of 160 years in prison between them. Hanchett received 28 years.
Homicide Hunter: American Detective airs Wednesdays at 9/8c on Investigation Discovery.