On November 10, 2012, a catastrophic gas explosion devastated the Richmond Hill neighborhood in Indiana, killing two people, injuring dozens, and destroying over 30 homes. The blast, which was felt for miles, was initially mistaken for a bomb. However, investigators soon discovered it was not an accident but a planned insurance fraud scheme orchestrated by homeowner Monserrate Shirley and her boyfriend Mark Leonard.
The Case Featured on Netflix
The case is now the focus of the second episode of Netflix's true crime anthology series Worst Neighbor Ever. The series explores real-life neighbor disputes that escalated to violence, with this episode detailing the explosion that left a community shattered. According to Netflix's Tudum, Shirley, affectionately called Moncy, became a foundational part of the tight-knit Richmond Hill community after moving in. But after a sudden divorce, she moved in her new boyfriend, Mark Leonard, who had a criminal record. Friends grew increasingly concerned, and then on that November night, Shirley's house exploded.
The Explosion and Its Aftermath
The explosion killed Dion Longworth and his wife Jennifer, who lived next door. Several others were injured, and dozens of homes were damaged beyond repair. Over 30 properties eventually had to be completely demolished due to the severity of the damage. The community was forced to tear down many homes before rebuilding could begin. Investigators determined that the explosion was intentional, set in the hopes of collecting insurance money.
Rebuilding the Community
Years later, the neighborhood has transformed back into a quiet community. According to a Fox59 report from 2025, a home has been built where the Longworths lived, marking the first new construction on that plot in over a decade. However, the lot where Shirley's house once stood remains vacant. One former resident said: "Our house had to be torn down after the explosion and we sold our property. There's no way after that happened I could have stayed there." Another added: "We ended up not moving back for our own personal reasons, but it still feels like home to me when I go down there and visit." Homeowner Doug told Fox59: "Now, we've had a huge turnover in 12 years—a lot of new people. A lot of people want to live here. It's a good neighborhood." The community has held memorial walks in the years following the blast.
Ongoing Impact
The case remains one of the most destructive and high-profile insurance fraud cases in the United States. The documentary features interviews with neighbors who chose to leave the area and start fresh, as well as those who decided to stay. The episode highlights how the explosion forever changed the lives of those in the community, even as the physical scars have been healed through reconstruction.
