Two Alaska teens are behind bars following the death of a 19-year-old woman whose body was recovered earlier this week in a river, the Anchorage Daily News reports.
Denali Brehmer, 18, and Kayden McIntosh, 16, have been charged with first-degree murder and evidence tamping in connection with the death of Cynthia “CeeCee” Hoffman, 19.
The two suspects appear to be accusing each other of pulling the trigger.
Brehmer reportedly told investigators that she directed McIntosh to shoot Hoffman in the head using a 9mm handgun, and that he carried out the act.
Meanwhile, McIntosh claims Brehmer is the person who fired the gun.
The two suspects told police the trio had decided to duct tape themselves and take pictures near a popular trail.
Brehmer told investigators that after Hoffman panicked from being bound with the duct tape, McIntosh took a gun from Brehmer, shot Hoffman and then pushed her body into the Eklutna River.
Brehmer then alleged McIntosh said she should concoct a story about dropping Hoffman off somewhere, and that she complied with this directive because she was scared.
However, videos from Snapchat are inconsistent with that version of events. While the first video shows Brehmer talking about the case as she told it to police, the second video shows Brehmer making self-incriminating statements.
“I f***ed up,” Brehmer told the camera. “I know I did. If I could take back what I’ve done, I can’t. I’m sorry everybody, my family, my friends. I guess you will hear from me when you hear from me, but I won’t be back for a long time. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to do it. I didn’t mean to do it.”
When confronted with the second video, Brehmer said she handed McIntosh the gun and told him to shoot Hoffman because she couldn’t do it.
Posted by Timothy Hoffman on Friday, June 7, 2019
Hoffman’s father, Timothy Hoffman, told the newspaper Saturday that he thought Brehmer was his daughter’s “best friend.”
Timothy Hoffman added that his daughter had a developmental disability that left her vulnerable.
“Her disability just made her want to have friends,” Timothy Hoffman said. “That’s all she wanted, was just to be her friend.”
Authorities on Tuesday recovered Hoffman’s body; her feet had been taped together.
Brehmer’s first court appearance is scheduled for Sunday.
[Feature Photo:Pixabay]
