A KILLER who recruited four friends to help murder a mentally disabled teen has been sentenced to 99 years in prison – the harshest possible punishment – for her heinous acts.
Denali Dakota Skye Brehmer, 23, was branded a “worst offender” for killing Cynthia Hoffman, who considered Brehmer her best friend, in 2019.
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Brehmer is one of six suspects accused in the death of Hoffman as part of a sick murder-for-hire plot.
The alleged attackers, who ranged in age from 16 to 19, believed they would be paid $9 million for the murder.
Brehmer, from Anchorage, Alaska, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in February 2023 and her sentencing proceedings occurred about a year later, over three days.
Judge Peterson said in court on Monday, “Miss Brehmer engaged in one of the most serious crimes that we have in Alaska.”
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Peterson found Brehmer to be a “worst offender” and noted that she had no remorse.
Hoffman had developmental disabilities and a fierce desire to be accepted by her friends, according to her family.
Her father, Timothy Hoffman, said in 2019, “The only thing I know is that my daughter trusted these people, my daughter just wanted friends.
“Now I have to bury her, and that is wrong.”
CATFISHED
The sick murder-for-hire plot began with Darin Schilmiller, 25, of Indiana, who Brehmer had an online relationship with.
Schilmiller was 21 at the time and claimed to be a millionaire as he went by the name “Tyler” while in contact with Brehmer online.
The catfish said he would send Brehmer $9 million if she killed someone and sent photo and video proof but did not name a target.
Brehmer encouraged a group of four other teenagers to help with the murder for a cut of the money.
Two of the alleged accomplices were Kayden McIntosh, 21, and Caleb Leyland, 24.
McIntosh was named as the gunman and his trial is pending.
Leyland allegedly let Brehmer and McIntosh borrow his car to carry out the murder.
Leyland pleaded guilty to second-degree murder with sentencing set for June 10.
Like Brehmer, catfish Schilmiller was also sentenced to 99 years in January for his role in the murder.
“This was intentional, premeditated murder for hire,” Peterson said at his sentencing.
“You plotted with other co-defendants to kill somebody you never met for no reason other than the sheer thrill of controlling others and seeing it be done.”
DISTURBING MURDER
Hoffman thought she was going on a hike at Thunderbird Falls in Chugiak with Brehmer and McIntosh on June 2, 2019.
Brehmer, who was 18 at the time, and 16-year-old McIntosh duct-taped Hoffman’s hands and feet while on the hike.
Hoffman was then shot in the back of the head with a 9mm pistol and the disturbing murder was recorded.
Brehmer and McIntosh dumped Hoffman’s body into Eklutna River and told her family she was dropped off somewhere without them.
Hoffman was reported missing and her body was found a day later.
Judge Peterson watched the video of Hoffman’s last moments while duct taped and described it as “one of the most difficult pieces of evidence I’ve had to watch in this position.”
‘TRAGIC & SENSELESS’
The judge described the murder as “tragic and senseless” and said that Brehmer was “cold, calculated, and carried [it] out to a ‘T’.”
“She executed Cynthia Hoffman in a murder-for-hire plot. She conspired with numerous other individuals in and outside of Alaska, including juveniles, forever altering everybody’s life,” Peterson said.
“She may not have pulled the trigger, but this never would have happened if it weren’t for Denali Brehmer.”
Schilmiller and Brehmer also pleaded guilty to federal charges of conspiracy to produce child pornography.
They admitted to conspiring to coerce a minor to produce sexually explicit images.
At Brehmer’s sentencing, Peterson said he recognized she was a youthful offender and that “youth matters” but declared that she was fully aware of what she was doing.
The disturbing case sparked a warning to parents about being aware of who their teens are talking to online.
“You can ruin your entire life in a matter of minutes based on what you see, what you do and how you react to people online,” Cybersecurity expert Adam Levin told CBS News.
He specifically warned parents to ensure their children are wary of strangers who ask for too much information and befriend them entirely too quickly.
“Do not believe everything you see or hear online,” he said.
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