A teenage murder suspect reportedly took 200 selfies while wearing glasses belonging to a 20-year-old Iowa woman who had an intellectual disability.
Dakota Van Patten, 19, is accused of murdering McKinley Lewisma. The incident, which took place around midnight on February 18, 2024, allegedly involved luring Lewisma’s ex-girlfriend, Melody Hoffman, according to an investigation by Marion County.
In a recent court session, prosecutors disclosed that Van Patten took over 200 selfies while wearing Hoffman’s clear-framed glasses between the afternoon of February 18 and the evening of February 19, 2024.
The multitude of selfies found on Van Patten’s phone includes an image of him shirtless in bed, wearing a sweatshirt linked to the night of the murder. In addition, detectives discovered a photo of Hoffman’s iPhone passcode and a picture of him posing with a realistic BB gun taken on February 17, just a day before the murder.
According to authorities, Van Patten and Lewisma allegedly bound Hoffman, stabbed her multiple times, and ultimately strangled her. They reportedly left her body at Lily Pond in Amana, further mutilating it.
Van Patten is facing charges that include first-degree murder, inducement, and conspiracy to commit a felony.
Lewisma, 24, has already been sentenced to life in prison for the crime. Reports indicate that he viewed a photo on his cell phone at 4:05 AM on February 18, which showed Hoffman with duct tape on her mouth and bleeding from her nose.
On February 17, Van Patten and his accomplice, Logan Kimpton, 19, allegedly helped Hoffman sneak out of her house.
Before the murder, all three suspects were seen buying supplies like gloves and machetes at a Walmart in Cedar Rapids. It appears that Kimpton backed out before the attack took place.
Iowa law enforcement retrieved significant evidence from Lewisma’s vehicle, including stained pocket knives, machetes, ropes, rolls of duct tape, and shoes that had traces of pink dye.
DNA evidence suggests that Van Patten matches samples found on duct tape, gloves, and the glasses, according to reports.
Linn County Attorney Nick Maybanks mentioned that Hoffman was someone who placed a great deal of trust in others despite her intellectual disability.
Additionally, court revelations by Associate State Medical Examiner Dr. Kelly Cruze indicated that Hoffman tested positive for a hormone that could signify pregnancy.
