Pierce Bike Gang Member Sentenced to 55 Years for Murder

Published on January 05, 2017

GREELEY, Colo. (Weld County D.A.) - A Weld County bike gang member will spend the next five decades behind bars for his role in the orchestrated murder of 34-year-old Pierce woman, Tera Lewandowski.

Scott Hanchett, 22, was sentenced late Wednesday afternoon to 55 years in the Department of Corrections after pleading guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Murder and Accessory to a Class 1 Felony. His sister, Karly Hanchett, 19, also pleaded guilty last month and faces up to 48 years in the DOC.

Lewandowski was first reported missing in September 2015 after she didn't show up for a doctor's appointment. Her body was later found in April nearly 100 miles away in Wyoming. The  murder was orchestrated by Daniel “DJ” Meyer, a former Pierce town board member, the Hanchetts, Michael and Thomas Vassil and Chad Iler. All were members of the “21 Biker Gang.”

Another co-defendant, Crystal Griffin, cooperated with  investigators and told police the victim had an argument with Karly and Meyer over stolen prescription drugs. Griffin said a few days later, the others confronted the victim and beat and stabbed her to death with a hunting knife.

“All murders are senseless, but this strikes me as more senseless than most I've seen,” said Assistant District Attorney Robb Miller. “We don't know which blow ultimately led to her death, but we do know the defendant had his hand in this and used a knife to stab her in the back.”

After killing her, the group then planned an elaborate cover-up by burning Lewandowski's belongings and dumping her body in a field nearly 100 miles from the scene.

What's Next:

1. Thomas Vassil is set for a status conference tomorrow at 2:30 p.m.
2. Mike Vassil is set for trial on 4/3 at 8:30 a.m.
3. DJ Meyer is set for trial on 5/1 at 8:30 a.m.
4. Karly Hanchett will be sentenced on 5/12 at 1:30 p.m.