Years later, in 2008, police charged his brother-in-law, David Lee Smith, with helping kill him. They believed Smith assisted Rick Lear, Hafer’s wife’s boyfriend, in the murder.

The case started to break in 1995 when Smith’s ex-wife told police about his involvement. A secret recording of Smith and Hafer’s wife (Linda, later Meyer) revealed Hafer was dead, but they didn’t confess to killing him. Even with additional information from another of Smith’s ex-wives, police lacked enough evidence to charge anyone.

A new tip in 2008 led to a confession from Linda Meyer. She admitted Hafer was murdered in their home. Lear hit Hafer, Smith held him down, and Lear smothered him with a pillow. Meyer was supposed to shoot him but refused.

Smith admitted to witnessing the murder and helping hide the body, but claimed he wasn’t involved in the killing. However, Lear died of cancer before trial, leaving Smith’s defense to blame him. Because prosecutors weren’t sure they could win, they made a deal with Smith. He pleaded guilty to tampering with evidence, the more serious murder charge was dropped, and he received a five-year prison sentence.

Hafer’s family was unhappy with the light sentence. His body has never been found, and it’s unlikely anyone else will be prosecuted. Though officially unsolved, the circumstances strongly suggest foul play. Hafer left behind two young daughters.