Steven Gaddis, 28, received a sentence of 43 to 100 years in prison for his role in the death of Matthew Whisman, 25, whom he beat, injected with fentanyl, and threw off a bridge. The incident stemmed from Whisman's cooperation with police in a prior shooting investigation. Gaddis pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit third-degree murder, aggravated assault, kidnapping, and witness intimidation.
On April 3, 2024, Gaddis discovered a message on Whisman's phone indicating cooperation with police over a January shooting at his brother's home in Maryland, according to the Lancaster County District Attorney's Office. Joined by Jeremy Absher, 25, and Alexander Whisman, 17 at the time—who are cousins of the victim—the group beat Whisman in a bathroom and laundry room at a home on the 1100 block of Lancaster Pike in East Drumore Township, Pennsylvania, then forced him to shower. In the basement, as Whisman ate, Gaddis remarked, 'How would you feel if it's your last supper,' prompting the victim to cry, authorities said, citing court documents reported by WHTM.