LANCASTER, Pa. — A man from Chester County has received a prison sentence between 43 to 100 years for his involvement in the 2024 murder of Matthew Whisman, a 25-year-old from Lancaster County. Prosecutors indicated that Whisman was targeted after providing information to law enforcement regarding a shooting in Maryland.
Steven Scott Gaddis, 28, pleaded guilty to several charges including conspiracy to commit third-degree murder, aggravated assault, kidnapping, and witness intimidation. This plea comes at the conclusion of a case that began with Whisman being reported missing in July 2024 and unfolded with the grim discovery of his remains in Maryland months later. Two other individuals, Jeremy Absher and Alexander Whisman, have not yet been tried for their alleged roles in the case.
The events leading to Whisman’s death reportedly unfolded on April 3, 2024, at a residence in East Drumore Township. Investigators stated that Gaddis discovered Whisman’s messages to police and confronted him alongside Absher and Alexander Whisman. Following a violent encounter inside the home, the defendants forced Whisman into a vehicle. Court documents revealed a chilling exchange where Gaddis asked Whisman how he would feel if it was his last meal. Tragically, fentanyl was injected into Whisman during the ride, leading to his death before his body was discarded from a bridge into Conowingo Creek.
The investigation began when Whisman’s mother reported her son missing in early July 2024, noting he had not been in contact since April. Interviewing Whisman’s brother revealed crucial details; he witnessed the moment Whisman was taken to a car, noting that Gaddis, Absher, and Alexander Whisman returned without him, raising suspicions of foul play. In August, human remains were recovered near Camp Shadow Brook in Cecil County, Maryland, and subsequent DNA testing confirmed they belonged to Whisman.
During the sentencing hearing, the impact of Whisman’s murder was poignantly highlighted through statements from his family. Prosecutors shared a message from Whisman’s mother, who expressed the indelible sorrow left within their family. The process leading to the body disposal further complicated the case, as it involved attempts to erase evidence, including making Whisman shower after the assault. Notably, Gaddis and the victim shared familial ties, with the relationship intensifying the sense of betrayal within the case.
The court proceedings for Gaddis concluded shortly before he was due to stand trial on homicide charges. He also pleaded guilty to a separate incident involving gunfire directed at a home in Quarryville in April 2024, where three juveniles were present but unharmed. This incident further solidified Gaddis’s connection to violent crimes, which included evidence linking him to the shooting through vehicle surveillance and recovered firearms.
Whisman’s death represents a tragic narrative of betrayal and violence. In her statement read in court, Whisman’s mother lamented that Gaddis had taken away their opportunity for reconciliation and healing within the family. The case now holds weight across two states, involving various investigations stemming from Whisman’s disappearance, underscoring the long-lasting consequences of violent crime on families and communities.
As the legal proceedings against Absher and Alexander Whisman continue, Gaddis’s case stands as a sobering reminder of the complexities surrounding criminal justice and the lasting effects of loss. With the broader investigation still active, the story of Matthew Whisman remains etched in the memories of those left behind, highlighting the impact of violence on loved ones.