Alaska Woman Sentenced to 99 Years for Murder of 'Best Friend' in Catfish Plot Involving $9 Million Offer
Feb 23, 11:00 PM
An Alaska woman, Denali Dakota Skye Brehmer, 23, has been sentenced to 99 years in prison for her role in the murder of her "best friend," Cynthia "CeeCee" Hoffman, 19, after falling victim to a catfishing scheme. The sentencing was handed down in an Alaska court following a disturbing revelation that Brehmer had been promised $9 million by a man posing online as a millionaire, 25-year-old Darin Schilmiller, to carry out the killing and record it.
Brehmer admitted her part in the murder, accepting a deal from prosecutors that included pleading guilty to a first-degree murder charge in exchange for several other charges being dropped.
Brehmer, who was 18 at the time of the murder, recruited other teenagers to help bind, sexually assault, and fatally shoot Hoffman near Thunderbird Falls in Chugiak, Alaska, in June 2019. Hoffman's body was discovered two days later on the banks of the Eklutna River, bound with duct tape and with a gunshot wound to the back of her head.
Schilmiller, posing online as "Tyler," orchestrated the murder plot, promising Brehmer and her group $9 million for their involvement. Both Schilmiller and Brehmer pleaded guilty to murder and related child pornography charges in federal court. Schilmiller was previously sentenced to 99 years in prison.
Judge Andrew Peterson, while acknowledging Brehmer's youth, emphasized that she knew the gravity of her actions, stating, "This was not a youthful indiscretion." He described viewing video evidence of Hoffman's final moments as one of the most difficult experiences in his position.
Brehmer pleaded guilty to one count of murder in the first degree, leading to her maximum sentence of 99 years with no possibility of suspension. Prosecutor Patrick McKay Jr. emphasized the severity of Brehmer's actions, asserting that the murder-for-hire plot forever altered the lives of those involved.
According to court documents, Brehmer didn’t pull the trigger but was one of two people present when it happened. Defense Attorney Emily Cooper asked for an 80-year sentence with 20 years suspended.
When it was Brehmer’s turn to address the court, she apologized to Hoffman’s family, saying she had caused their pain and took responsibility for Hoffman’s death. Brehmer also said she’s changed during the four and a half years she has been in prison and continues working on her growth and maturity.
The case also involves other defendants, including Kayden McIntosh, who allegedly confessed to being the actual gunman, and Caleb Leyland, who pleaded guilty to murder for lending his car in exchange for money. Their trials and sentencing are pending.
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Brehmer admitted her part in the murder, accepting a deal from prosecutors that included pleading guilty to a first-degree murder charge in exchange for several other charges being dropped.
Brehmer, who was 18 at the time of the murder, recruited other teenagers to help bind, sexually assault, and fatally shoot Hoffman near Thunderbird Falls in Chugiak, Alaska, in June 2019. Hoffman's body was discovered two days later on the banks of the Eklutna River, bound with duct tape and with a gunshot wound to the back of her head.
Schilmiller, posing online as "Tyler," orchestrated the murder plot, promising Brehmer and her group $9 million for their involvement. Both Schilmiller and Brehmer pleaded guilty to murder and related child pornography charges in federal court. Schilmiller was previously sentenced to 99 years in prison.
Judge Andrew Peterson, while acknowledging Brehmer's youth, emphasized that she knew the gravity of her actions, stating, "This was not a youthful indiscretion." He described viewing video evidence of Hoffman's final moments as one of the most difficult experiences in his position.
Brehmer pleaded guilty to one count of murder in the first degree, leading to her maximum sentence of 99 years with no possibility of suspension. Prosecutor Patrick McKay Jr. emphasized the severity of Brehmer's actions, asserting that the murder-for-hire plot forever altered the lives of those involved.
According to court documents, Brehmer didn’t pull the trigger but was one of two people present when it happened. Defense Attorney Emily Cooper asked for an 80-year sentence with 20 years suspended.
When it was Brehmer’s turn to address the court, she apologized to Hoffman’s family, saying she had caused their pain and took responsibility for Hoffman’s death. Brehmer also said she’s changed during the four and a half years she has been in prison and continues working on her growth and maturity.
The case also involves other defendants, including Kayden McIntosh, who allegedly confessed to being the actual gunman, and Caleb Leyland, who pleaded guilty to murder for lending his car in exchange for money. Their trials and sentencing are pending.
Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj
Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
The latest on Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, Justice for Harmony Montgomery, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com