Vevay Man Convicted of Murder, Mutilating Animals

This murder investigation began March 29, 2025.

Ryan Uopasarn. Photo provided.

(Vevay, Ind.) - A Switzerland County jury recently convicted a Vevay man of murder and mutilating animals.

The Defendant, Ryan S. Uopasarn, 32, was found guilty of murder after stabbing his father, Sulasak “Mike” Uopasarn over 25 times with a butcher knife and then mutilating Mike’s four small dogs, Mickey, Red, Bruno, and Star.

This murder investigation began in the early morning hours of March 29, 2025, after multiple neighbors in Vevay called 911 to report the Defendant had attacked his father. The Switzerland County Sheriff’s Department responded within minutes, and immediately secured the crime scene, arrested the Defendant at gunpoint, and evacuated a young mother and her children from the adjoining apartment. Later, Switzerland County Sheriff’s Deputy Alex Stanton described to the jury the moment when he entered the apartment to find the mutilated dogs—arranged in a line—in a pool of blood.

While officers secured the scene, multiple Switzerland County first responders attempted to save the victim’s life and evacuate him by helicopter. However, despite the efforts of Switzerland County EMS and Jefferson Craig Volunteer Firefighters, the victim succumbed within minutes due to multiple stab wounds to his liver, stomach, and heart. Cody McNeely, Switzerland County Paramedic and Fire Chief later explained to the jury how first responders attempted every possible treatment to save the victim’s life.

The Indiana State Police immediately joined Switzerland County law enforcement to conduct a joint investigation. ISP Detectives along with forensic crime scene investigators spoke with Defendant who calmly described stabbing his father and the dogs. In addition to the Defendant’s full recorded confession, investigators obtained forensic evidence from the crime scene and the Defendant’s blood-soaked clothing. ISP investigators, Brian Earls, Joe May, and Steve Wiegel would later present their analysis and recorded confession during the trial.

At trial Switzerland County Prosecutor Ryan Marshall and Chief Deputy Prosecutor Ryan Bland presented well over 100 items of evidence, including the blood stained murder weapon, DNA analysis, and surveillance footage. Throughout the trial, Prosecutors presented multiple expert witnesses from across Indiana and Ohio. Forensic Pathologist, Dr. Russell Uptegrove of the Hamilton County Ohio Coroner’s office recounted the dozens of stab wounds to the victim’s body, discovered during the autopsy. Purdue University Professor and Veterinary Pathologist, Dr. Nobuku Wakamatsu-Utsuki explained the devastating blood loss, pain and fear felt by the dogs as they were mutilated. And multiple forensic scientists from the Indiana State Police crime lab explained the findings of their DNA and blood spatter analysis found on the Defendant’s clothing and crime scene.

The Defendant, through counsel, argued that he should not be held responsible for murder or animal torture as he was allegedly insane at the time. However, Switzerland Circuit Court Judge W. Gregory Coy, following Indiana law, appointed both a forensic psychiatrist and psychologist to assess Defendant’s insanity claim. Judge Coy then questioned each evaluator during the trial, which revealed evidence that Defendant had exaggerated or fabricated mental health symptoms during his interview with the forensic psychologist. Judge Coy questioned each expert in front of the jury. And during Judge Coy’s questions, both experts determined that Defendant understood that his actions were wrongful at the time he murdered his father and mutilated the four small dogs.

After days of evidence, the jury convicted the Defendant in under two hours. Later, Switzerland County Prosecutor Ryan Marshall commented on the verdict:

“Justice was handed down due to the courage of the 12 fair-minded and honest people who served their community as jurors. These men and women sat attentively through days of horrific evidence of unspeakable crimes. And their decision to convict helped make their home safer. While I will respect their privacy by not naming them individually, I do hope that their friends, neighbors, and loved ones of each juror gratefully acknowledge their service to Switzerland County. I do. Their voice—and their choice—is the one that matters.”

This murder conviction marks the first of its kind since the Indiana General Assembly created its 91st Judicial Circuit in Switzerland County in 2008. While this case did not qualify under Indiana Law for the death penalty or life without parole, Indiana Law carries a maximum for 65 years in prison for Murder. Defendant now faces sentencing in the same court and from the same judge who heard the case, Switzerland Circuit Judge W. Gregory Coy.