Mom Says She Slit Son’s Throat as 18th Birthday Death Gift

A Michigan mother who is charged with killing her son last week allegedly told authorities that his death was part of a suicide pact she had with him.

Katie Austin Lee, 39, killed Austin Pikaart on Friday — a day before his 18th birthday — at their apartment in Holland. Lee claimed she tried to get her son to stop breathing before she used a knife to slit his throat and arm, according to WOOD.

“She advised her son asked her to help him stop breathing because he did not want to turn 18,” a detective told the court during Monday’s arraignment.


Lee allegedly told a 911 dispatcher that she tried to stop her son from breathing before using a knife to cut him when he lost consciousness. She also explained how they both tried to overdose on medications at 1 p.m. on Thursday, roughly five hours before she cut him, according to MLive.

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Lee reportedly called 911 at around 4 a.m. on Friday. Responding police found Pikaart lying in a bed with blood surrounding his head, WOOD reported.

According to MLive, Lee threatened two officers with a kitchen knife. Though officers tased Lee, causing her to drop the knife, she eventually retrieved it — leading them to tase her a second time.

Lee allegedly told police that she wanted them to kill her so she could be with her son.

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Pikkart was pronounced dead at the scene. Forensic pathologist Dr. Stephen Cohle concluded he died of a laceration to his neck, according to MLive.

Lee is charged with open murder, in addition to resisting and obstructing an officer. She remains jailed without bond.

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[Feature Photo: GoFundMe; Holland Department of Public Safety]