Denali Brehmer: Woman gets life in prison for killing friend for $9M in murder-for-hire plot by catfisher

Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.

ANCHORAGE, ALASKA: In February, Denali Dakota Skye Brehmer, a 23-year-old resident of Anchorage, was sentenced by Anchorage Superior Court Judge Andrew Peterson for the murder of Cynthia Hoffman near Thunderbird Falls in Chugiak, Alaska on June 2, 2019.

This sentencing follows a disturbing revelation that Brehmer, having encountered a mysterious individual named Darin Schilmiller online, was promised $9 million in exchange for providing him with photos and videos of herself committing the act of murder, as per the New York Post.

For context, Hoffman succumbed to a gunshot wound to the back of her head, with her body being disposed of in the Ekluntna River, approximately 27 miles northeast of Anchorage, according to a report by Law&Crime.

Additional details concerning the murder scheme involving Denali Brehmer, who was 18 years old at the time of the offense, emerged during the recent sentencing proceedings.

What happened in the courtroom?

After Hoffman's death, it came to light that Darin Schilmiller had solicited her murder from Brehmer in Anchorage. Additionally, Schilmiller had solicited child pornography from Brehmer, leading to further federal charges. 

During the sentencing proceedings, both the state and Brehmer presented evidence.

The state sought a sentence of 99 years without parole and a designation as a worst offender. Brehmer, on the other hand, requested a sentence of 80 years with 20 years suspended.

Anchorage Assistant District Attorney Patrick McKay asserted that Brehmer had committed one of the most serious crimes, emphasizing her involvement in the murder-for-hire plot to kill Hoffman.

McKay added, "She conspired with numerous other individuals in and outside of Alaska, including juveniles, forever altering everybody’s life. She may not have pulled the trigger, but this never would have happened it if it weren’t for Denali Brehmer."

What did Judge Peterson say?

According to the State of Alaska, Judge Peterson described the murder of Cynthia Hoffman as a premeditated act of contract killing, labeling it as "tragic and senseless".

He characterized Brehmer's actions as "cold, calculated, and executed meticulously." Recognizing the severity of the crime, Peterson noted it as one of the most serious instances of first-degree murder and contract killing. 

He recounted the difficulty of viewing a video capturing Hoffman's final moments, depicting her restrained with duct tape at Thunderbird Falls, stating it was one of the most challenging pieces of evidence he encountered. 

Peterson observed Brehmer's lack of remorse post-murder, along with her subsequent engagement in criminal activities, expressing hope that the sentence would serve as a deterrent to others.

While acknowledging Brehmer's youthful status, Judge Peterson emphasized that she was fully aware of her actions, rejecting the notion that it was merely a youthful mistake. Consequently, Brehmer received a sentence of 99 years without parole, designated as a "worst offender."

Darin Schilmiller gets 99 years in prison for involvement in Hoffman’s murder

In January, Darin Schilmiller from Indiana, received a similar sentence of 99 years without parole for his involvement in the murder.

Caleb Leyland and Kayden McIntosh were two additional individuals implicated in the murder of Cynthia Hoffman.

Leyland's sentencing is set for June 10, 2024, under Judge Peterson's jurisdiction.

Kayden McIntosh's case is awaiting trial. It's important to note that the charges against McIntosh are allegations and do not constitute proof of guilt.

McIntosh is presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, where the prosecution must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The investigation into this case was carried out by the Anchorage Police Department's homicide unit, along with the Federal Bureau of Investigation operating out of Alaska and Indiana, and the Indiana State Police. Currently, Brehmer is in the custody of the Alaska Department of Corrections.