This Sunday, the Lifetime Movies debut The Story of Eli Weaver, original production based on the book A Killing in an Amish Country: Sex, Betrayal, and a Cold-blooded Murder.
It is a true story that shocked the United States in 2009: a cold-blooded crime that took place within an Amish religious community in Ohio.
The film tells the story of Eli Weaver (Luke Macfarlane, Over There) who, behind his conservative image, had a double life: he called himself a “stud” and lived in online chat rooms flirting with different women, a contradiction with his Amish religion, which rejects the comforts of modern life, and preaches restricted use of electronic equipment, including telephones and automobiles.
Among his extramarital adventures, he became intensely involved with Barbara Raber “Barb” (Kirsten Vangness, Criminal minds), and together they planned the death of Barbara Weaver (Miranda MacDougall, Flash), his wife, to whom he was married for 10 years and mother of his five children. Barbara was murdered by Barb, with a shot to the chest.
In the weeks leading up to the crime, Eli and Barb meticulously plotted via text messages, considering the various ways to carry out the murder. More than 800 searches related to methods of committing murder and poisoning were discovered on a computer found in Barb’s residence.
Eli and Barb are currently serving sentences in different Ohio prisons. He will have a parole hearing in June of this year.
The Story of Eli Weaver (Amish Stud: The Eli Weaver Story, 2023, USA)
Gender: police, drama
Director: Stacey N. Harding
Cast: Luke Macfarlane, Kirsten Vangness, Miranda MacDougall
Indicative rating: 14 yearss
Tags: Lifetime Movies premieres Eli Weaver Story film inspired true story murder Amish community
