Denali Brehmer is one of the Alaskan teens who plotted to kill Cynthia Hoffman, who was described as her “best friend.” According to CNN, Brehmer began plotting the murder with the help of other teens after being catfished by a fake millionaire online who was offering $9 million.
The man posing as a millionaire was identified as 21-year-old Darin Schilmiller of Indiana, and he asked Brehmer for photos and video of the murder in exchange for the money.
“Digital evidence and statements show Brehmer was communicating with and sending videos and/or photographs of the events surrounding the incident to Schilmiller at his directive throughout the duration of the event,” an indictment read, via ABC News.
The teens responsible for Hoffman’s murder bound her with duct tape around her ankles and wrists before shooting her in the back of the head and pushing her into a river.
Brehmer — along with her accomplices Schilmiller, 16-year-old Kayden McIntosh, and 19-year-old Caleb Leyland — was charged with first-degree murder, first-degree conspiracy to commit murder and two counts of second-degree murder and other related charges.
Along with the murder charges, Brehmer faces 30 years for conspiracy to produce child pornography, 30 years for the production of child pornography, and 20 years for distribution of child pornography.
Hoffman’s father, Timothy, said he knew something was wrong when Cynthia did not answer her phone.
“In this family, you all have phones. When dad calls, you answer. I don’t care if you’re at church and the holy pastor is preaching. I don’t care if you’re at school taking the high school diploma test. If dad calls, you answer,” he said, via KTUU.
“I put out search parties. I drove my motorcycle through woods and bike paths. I floored it all over town doing speed limits I should not have been doing looking for my kid. When she didn’t come home the first day, I knew something was wrong. When she didn’t come home the second day, I knew something was wrong. And then all I could think about was the knock on the door.”
He also had a message for McIntosh, who is the teen that ultimately shot Cynthia: “I hope he goes straight to hell.”
Our deepest condolences are with Hoffman’s family during this incredibly devastating and tragic time.