The eight-hour release pass authorized Matheney to travel to Indianapolis; instead he travelled to St. Joseph County. He changed clothes and took an unloaded shotgun from a friend's house. He then traveled to Mishawaka and parked his car two houses down from Bianco's home. He broke into her house through the back door and then chased her down the street. He caught and beat her to death with the shotgun while his two daughters and numerous neighbors looked on. Even so, this case was held up on appeals for 16 years. The case caused a law change in the state of Indiana, which required victims to be informed if an inmate was released. The State also agreed to pay the estate of Bianco $900,000 in compensation.
