The premiere episode of Who Hired the Hitman? on Investigation Discovery unveiled a chilling murder-for-hire case that sent shockwaves through rural Louisiana. At the center was Erick Crain, an unemployed mechanic who became the triggerman in the July 2010 killing of farmer Ernest Luttrell. Here’s the complete breakdown of this calculated crime.
Table of Contents
Erick Crain Case Overview at a Glance
| Case Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Victim | Ernest Luttrell (Farmer) |
| Date of Murder | July 2010 |
| Location | Greenwood-Springridge Road, Keithville, LA |
| Hitman | Erick Crain (Unemployed mechanic) |
| Payment | $1,000 |
| Mastermind | Linda Kate Passaniti (Victim’s stepdaughter) |
| Episode Title | “Home on the Rage” |
The Crime Scene Discovery
On a Sunday morning in July 2010, Ernest Luttrell’s companion returned from church to find him dead in the kitchen of their Keithville home. Deputies responding to the scene confirmed gunshot wounds and noticed missing items—firearms and a truck—initially suggesting a robbery gone wrong.
That theory quickly crumbled as investigators dug deeper. Boot prints at the scene and witness statements pointed toward someone familiar with the property. The investigation soon revealed a sinister plot orchestrated from within Luttrell’s own family circle.
For those following true crime investigations and cold case analysis, this case exemplifies how staged crime scenes often unravel under scrutiny.
Who Was Erick Crain?
Erick Crain was an out-of-work Louisiana mechanic who served as the hired gun in Luttrell’s murder. During police interrogation, Crain confessed that he was hired to kill Luttrell and stage the scene as a robbery. His payment? A mere $1,000 for taking a man’s life.
According to KSLA reports, Crain testified in court that he was recruited through connections to the household. He allegedly joined Tina Vanmoerkerque, Luttrell’s housekeeper, the day before the shooting and was dropped near the home that morning to carry out the execution.
Crain ultimately pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and received a life sentence. As part of his plea deal, he agreed to testify against the true mastermind behind the plot.
The Web of Conspirators
Tina Vanmoerkerque (Housekeeper): She facilitated Crain’s access to the property and played a crucial role in the murder plot. Vanmoerkerque also pleaded guilty to murder and received a life sentence, agreeing to testify against others involved.
Linda Kate Passaniti (Stepdaughter): The investigation revealed that Luttrell’s stepdaughter was the mastermind. Crain testified that Passaniti hired him to stage the murder as a robbery. She was arrested months later in Texas on a sealed indictment and extradited to Louisiana.
Financial records uncovered during the investigation showed Passaniti’s involvement in questionable transactions related to Luttrell’s accounts both before and after his death. KLTV reported that these documents became crucial evidence in establishing motive.
Loretta Luttrell (Wife): Ernest’s wife was also arrested and charged with first-degree murder. However, she was found incompetent to stand trial and died before facing a jury. Charges were dismissed posthumously.
Justice Served: The Courtroom Outcomes
In 2013, Linda Kate Passaniti stood trial and was convicted on all counts, including principal to second-degree murder, conspiracy, and three counts of forgery. The judge handed down life without parole plus sixty additional years in consecutive sentences—ensuring she would never walk free.
Both Crain and Vanmoerkerque received life terms after their guilty pleas. Their testimony proved instrumental in securing Passaniti’s conviction, exposing the calculated nature of this family betrayal.
Those interested in crime documentaries and justice system analysis will find this case demonstrates how forensic evidence and witness cooperation can crack even carefully planned murders.
About Who Hired the Hitman?
Who Hired the Hitman? airs on Investigation Discovery, examining murder-for-hire cases through investigative storytelling. Each episode follows detectives as they untangle phone records, alibis, and financial motives to expose the person who orchestrated the killing.
New episodes air weekly on ID, with next-day streaming available on Max. The series keeps facts central while exploring the psychological motivations behind these calculated crimes.
Watch the series on Investigation Discovery to explore more shocking murder-for-hire cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Erick Crain in the Ernest Luttrell murder case?
Erick Crain was an unemployed Louisiana mechanic who served as the hired hitman in Ernest Luttrell’s July 2010 murder. He was paid $1,000 to kill the farmer and stage the scene as a robbery. Crain pleaded guilty to first-degree murder, received a life sentence, and testified that Linda Kate Passaniti (Luttrell’s stepdaughter) hired him for the killing.
What happened to Linda Kate Passaniti in the Ernest Luttrell case?
Linda Kate Passaniti, Ernest Luttrell’s stepdaughter, was convicted in 2013 as the mastermind behind the murder-for-hire plot. She was found guilty of principal to second-degree murder, conspiracy, and three counts of forgery. The judge sentenced her to life without parole plus sixty years. Financial records showed her involvement in questionable transactions tied to Luttrell’s accounts before and after his death.
