Homicide; Thunderbird Falls at 25351 Old Glenn Highway in Chugiak
Update on 2/13/14:
From the Attorney General’s Office:
Feb. 12, 2024 (Anchorage, AK) – Today, 24-year-old Denali Dakota Skye Brehmer, 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.
Brehmer previously pleaded guilty to one count of Murder in the First Degree. Evidence presented at sentencing shows that on June 2, 2019, Cynthia Hoffman was shot and killed on the banks of the Eklutna River near Thunderbird Falls. Afterward, Hoffman’s body was placed into the Eklutna River. Ultimately it was discovered that Darin Schilmiller had solicited the murder of Hoffman from Brehmer in Anchorage. Schilmiller also solicited child pornography from Brehmer, conduct that led to additional federal charges.
Brehmer’s sentencing occurred over three days in January and February 2024. At sentencing, the State and Brehmer both presented evidence. The court was permitted to sentence Brehmer to a sentence of active imprisonment between 30 and 99 years. The State requested a sentence of 99 years with none suspended and a “worst offender” finding. Brehmer requested a sentence of 80 years with 20 years suspended.
“The Court should find that Miss Brehmer engaged in one of the most serious crimes that we have in Alaska,” McKay said. “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. She may not have pulled the trigger, but this never would have happened it if it weren’t for Denali Brehmer,” McKay said.
Judge Peterson called the murder of Cynthia Hoffman a premeditated murder-for-hire that was “tragic and senseless.” He stated that Brehmer’s conduct was “cold, calculated, and carried out to a ‘T’.” He found that Brehmer’s conduct was among the most serious first-degree murder cases and among the most serious contract killing cases. Judge Peterson described watching a video of Cynthia Hoffman’s last moments where she was observed duct taped on the ground at Thunderbird Falls “…one of the most difficult pieces of evidence I’ve had to watch in this position.” He noted that Brehmer showed no remorse after the murder and, in fact, went on to engage in other criminal conduct. The court also expressed hope that the sentence would be a deterrence to others.
Judge Peterson recognized that Brehmer was a youthful offender and that “youth matters” but found that Brehmer clearly knew what she was doing and that this was not some “youthful indiscretion.” Brehmer was sentenced to 99 years with none suspended and was found to be a “worst offender.”
In January, Darin Schilmiller, of Indiana, was sentenced to 99 years with none suspended for his role in the murder.
Caleb Leyland’s sentencing is scheduled for June 10, 2024, in front of Judge Peterson.
Kayden McIntosh’s case is pending trial. The charges against McIntosh are only allegations and are not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the prosecution must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case was investigated by the Anchorage Police Department’s homicide unit, the Federal Bureau of Investigation based out of Alaska and Indiana, and the Indiana State Police. Brehmer is currently in the custody of the Alaska Department of Corrections.
Update on 1/11/24:
From the Attorney General’s Office:
Jan. 11, 2024 (Anchorage, AK) – Today, 25-year-old Darin Mitchell Schilmiller of New Salisbury, Indiana, was sentenced by Anchorage Superior Court Judge Andrew Peterson for the murder of 19-year-old Cynthia Hoffman near Thunderbird Falls in Chugiak, Alaska.
Schilmiller previously pleaded guilty to one count of Solicitation to Commit Murder in the First Degree. Evidence presented at sentencing shows that on June 2, 2019, Cynthia Hoffman was shot and killed on the banks of the Eklutna River near Thunderbird Falls. Afterward, Hoffman’s body was placed into the Eklutna River. Ultimately it was discovered that Schilmiller had solicited the murder of Hoffman from then 18-year-old Denali Brehmer in Anchorage. Schilmiller also solicited child pornography from Brehmer; conduct that led to additional charges by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Schilmiller’s sentencing occurred over three days. At sentencing, the State and Schilmiller both presented evidence. The court was permitted to sentence Schilmiller to a sentence of active imprisonment between 15 and 99 years. The State requested a sentence of 99 years with none suspended and an order restricting Schilmiller’s eligibility for discretionary parole. Schilmiller requested a sentence of 70 years with 20 years suspended. Several members of Cynthia Hoffman’s family provided victim impact statements at sentencing. Her father, Timothy Hoffman, described her as his “right hand man.” Her uncles described her as precious, vibrant, beautiful, and fun loving.
Judge Peterson called the case “extremely sad” and “shocking.” He described it as a premeditated murder-for-hire that was an “assassination” of Cynthia Hoffman. Judge Peterson found that Schilmiller’s conduct was among the most serious solicitation to commit first-degree murder cases and among the most serious contract killing cases. He further found that Schilmiller committed the murder “for the mere thrill of it.” Judge Peterson found Schilmiller was a “worst offender” for purposes of sentencing based on the conduct in this case and found that Schilmiller will “always be a risk to the community.” The court also expressed hope that the sentence would be a deterrence to others, recognizing that if it encourages one person to not commit a murder going forward, then it is a successful outcome.
Schilmiller was sentenced to 99 years with none suspended. In addition, he will not be eligible for discretionary parole until he has served at least 45 years of that sentence.
Multiple defendants were charged with causing Hoffman’s death. Denali Brehmer’s sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 12, 2024, in front of Judge Peterson. Caleb Leyland’s sentencing is scheduled for June 10, 2024, in front of Judge Peterson.
Kayden McIntosh’s case is pending trial. The charges against McIntosh are only allegations and are not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the prosecution must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case was investigated by the Anchorage Police Department’s homicide unit, the Federal Bureau of Investigation based out of Alaska and Indiana, and the Indiana State Police. Schilmiller is currently in the custody of the Alaska Department of Corrections.
Update on 11/22/23:
From the Attorney General’s Office:
Today, 24-year-old Caleb Allen Russell Leyland pleaded guilty to the murder of Cynthia Hoffman in June 2019 near Thunderbird Falls. Anchorage Superior Court Judge Andrew Peterson accepted Leyland’s plea to one count of Murder in the Second Degree. The charges of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder were dismissed as part of the agreement.
The charges against Schilmiller stem from the June 2, 2019, murder of 19-year-old Cynthia Hoffman near Thunderbird Falls in Chugiak, Alaska. The murder of Hoffman involved a group of teenagers who are accused of being “catfished” by Darin Schilmiller to commit the crime for money. The case was investigated by the Anchorage Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with the assistance of multiple other State and federal law enforcement agencies.
The court will determine Leyland’s sentence at a hearing. The agreement between the parties permits the court to sentence Leyland to a maximum term of imprisonment of 75 years with 25 years suspended.
Sentencing is scheduled to begin June 10, 2024, in front of Judge Peterson.
Leyland is currently in the custody of the Alaska Department of Corrections and is no longer eligible to be released on conditions of release.
Update on 8/4/23:
From the Attorney General’s office:
Today, 25-year-old Darin Mitchell Schilmiller of New Salisbury, Indiana, pleaded guilty to soliciting the murder of Cynthia Hoffman in June 2019 near Thunderbird Falls. Anchorage Superior Court Judge Andrew Peterson accepted Schilmiller’s plea to one count of solicitation to commit murder in the first degree.
The charges against Schilmiller stem from the June 2, 2019 murder of 19-year-old Cynthia Hoffman near Thunderbird Falls in Chugiak, Alaska. The murder of Hoffman involved a group of teenagers who are accused of being “catfished” by Schilmiller, an Indiana resident, to commit the crime for money. As part of the agreement, Schilmiller signed an affidavit admitting to a statement of facts surrounding the incident. The case was investigated by the Anchorage Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with the assistance of multiple other State and federal law enforcement agencies.
The court will determine Schilmiller’s sentence at a hearing. There is no agreement between the parties regarding a specific term of imprisonment. Judge Peterson may sentence Schilmiller to a term of imprisonment of no less than 5 years and no more than 99 years.
Sentencing is scheduled to begin Jan. 8, 2024, in front of Judge Peterson.
The charges of first- and second-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder were dismissed as part of the agreement.
Schilmiller is currently in the custody of the Alaska Department of Corrections and he is no longer permitted to be released on conditions of release.
Update on 2/15/23:
From the U.S. Attorney’s Office:
Today, 22-year-old Denali Brehmer pleaded guilty to murder in the first degree. Anchorage Superior Court Judge Andrew Peterson accepted Brehmer’s guilty plea.
The charges stem from the June 2, 2019, murder of 19-year-old Cynthia Hoffman near Thunderbird Falls in Chugiak, Alaska. Brehmer admitted the facts contained in the complaint initially filed in the case. The case was investigated by the Anchorage Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with the assistance of multiple other State and federal law enforcement agencies.
The murder of Hoffman involved a group of three young adults who are accused of being “catfished” by an Indiana resident to commit the crime for money.
The court will determine Brehmer’s sentence at a hearing. There is no agreement between the parties regarding a specific term of imprisonment. Judge Peterson may sentence Brehmer to a term of imprisonment of no less than 30 years and no more than 99 years.
Sentencing is scheduled to begin Aug. 22, in front of Judge Peterson in Anchorage and is anticipated to last three days.
The charges of conspiracy to commit murder in the first degree, solicitation of murder in the first degree, tampering with physical evidence and two charges of murder in the second degree were dismissed.
Update on 6/18/19:
From the U.S. Attorney’s Office:
Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced today that an Indiana man and an Anchorage woman have been indicted on federal child pornography and child exploitation charges, arising from the investigation into the murder of Cynthia Hoffman.
Darin Schilmiller, a/k/a “Babe,” a/k/a “Tyler,” 21, of New Salisbury, Indiana, and Denali Brehmer, a/k/a “Angel,” 18, of Anchorage, were both named in the federal indictment charging them with conspiracy to produce child pornography, production of child pornography, receipt and distribution of child pornography, and coercion and enticement of a minor.
According to the criminal complaint, on or about June 3, 2019, APD received a report that Cynthia Hoffman, a/k/a “CeeCee,” had not returned home the previous evening and was missing. On June 4, 2019, APD found Hoffman’s body in a creek near Thunderbird Falls in Eagle River, Alaska. APD obtained a search warrant on Brehmer’s phone to search for evidence related to Hoffman’s death.
The search revealed evidence related to child pornography that was embedded in text messages that occurred between June 2, 2019, and June 4, 2019. The text string included Brehmer and a contact listed as “Babe.” During an interview with Brehmer, she stated that “Babe” is also known as “Tyler.” Through phone records, the phone number for “Tyler” was linked to a Darin Schilmiller in Indiana. The federal charging documents allege that, at Schilmiller’s direction, Brehmer produced videos depicting sexually explicit conduct involving a minor and sent them to Schilmiller.
If convicted, Schilmiller and Brehmer face a minimum of five years and up to life in prison. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
The Anchorage Police Department (APD), the FBI’s Anchorage Field Office and New Albany Resident Agency of the Indianapolis Field Office, and the Indiana State Police conducted the investigation leading to the charges in this case. The federal case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kyle Reardon of the District of Alaska and Brad Shepard of the Southern District of Indiana.
The charges in the indictment and criminal complaint are merely allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Update on 6/14/19:
From the Attorney General’s Office:
June 14, 2019 (Anchorage, AK) – Today, an Anchorage grand jury indicted 21-year-old Darin Schilmiller of New Salisbury, Indiana, 18-year-old Denali Brehmer of Anchorage, 16-year-old Kayden McIntosh of Anchorage, 19-year-old Caleb Leyland of Anchorage, Jane Doe 06022019, and John Doe 06022019 for Murder in the First Degree, Conspiracy to Commit Murder in the First Degree, and two counts of Murder in the Second Degree relating to the death of Cynthia Hoffman. In addition, Schilmiller and Brehmer were each indicted on a count of Solicitation to Commit Murder in the First Degree. Brehmer was further indicted on a count of Tampering with Physical Evidence and McIntosh was indicted on four counts of Tampering with Physical Evidence.
On June 2, 2019, Cynthia Hoffman was murdered in Thunderbird Falls near the Eklutna River by way of a single-gunshot wound to the back of the head. According to the allegations in the bail memorandum, investigation revealed that Brehmer and McIntosh drove Hoffman to Thunderbird Falls where McIntosh allegedly shot Hoffman in the back of the head and moved her body into the Eklutna River.
The bail memorandum also alleges further investigation revealed that this murder occurred because of the solicitation by Schilmiller. Schilmiller allegedly offered to pay Brehmer $9 million or more to carry out the murder and send him videos and/or photographs of the murder. Brehmer recruited McIntosh, Leyland, Jane Doe 06022019 and John Doe 06022019 to assist in the planning and/or execution of the murder. In exchange, all of them would receive a significant sum of money for their part in the planning and/or execution of the murder.
If convicted at trial, the defendants face a sentence of up to 99 years imprisonment for each of the murder charges, the conspiracy to commit murder charge, and the solicitation to commit murder charge. In addition, Brehmer and McIntosh face up to five years imprisonment for each of the tampering with physical evidence charges.
The charges in the indictment are only allegations and are not evidence of guilt. Defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial at which the prosecution must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Schilmiller is currently in the custody of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
A state arrest warrant in the amount of $1 million has been issued for Schilmiller’s arrest, and he cannot have contact with co-defendants. He will be arraigned once extradited to Alaska to face these charges. Brehmer, McIntosh, and Leyland are in the custody of the Department of Corrections and will be arraigned Tuesday, June 18, 2019 at 1:45 p.m. in superior court. John Doe 06022019 and Jane Doe 06022019 are in custody at this time. No further information on John Doe and Jane Doe is currently being provided.
To address questions that have been raised regarding when juveniles are automatically waived or waived as a matter of discretion to adult court, see AS 47.12.030 and AS 47.12.100.
Update 6/11/19 10:15 a.m.:
Detectives have identified a person-of-interest in this investigation.
He's been identified as Darin Schilmiller (21 years old). He's currently in custody for an on-going federal investigation.
Update 6/9/19 1:25 p.m.:
Detectives have arrested three additional suspects in this investigation. The suspects are an adult male, a juvenile male and a juvenile female who were involved in the planning of this homicide with Brehmer and McIntosh.
The adult male provided the vehicle for Brehmer and McIntosh to use on the day of homicide.
The adult male suspect has been identified as Caleb Leyland (19 years old). He faces Murder 1 and Conspiracy to Commit Murder 1.
The two juvenile suspects were transported to McLaughlin Youth Center. Charges were forwarded to the Department of Juvenile Justice.
During the course of this investigation, detectives discovered that Leyland sexually assaulted the juvenile female suspect. He faces additional charges of Sexual Assault 1 and Sexual Abuse of a Minor 2.
The investigation continues.
Update 6/7/18 11:30 p.m.:
A second suspect has been arrested in this investigation. She is the adult female that was with the juvenile suspect and victim on the day of the homicide.
The suspect has been identified as Denali Brehmer (18 years old). She faces multiple charges including Murder 1 and Evidence Tampering.
Original:
On 6/3/19 around 11:30 a.m., Cynthia Hoffman (19 years old) was reported missing by a family member. The family member reported she was last seen by a friend at Polar Bear Park possibly on 6/2/19 around 4 p.m. wearing blue jeans, a hoodie and tennis shoes.
Through the course of the investigation, detectives learned the family member was given false information from the victim’s friend about her whereabouts.
The preliminary investigation found that the victim, her friend (an adult female), and a juvenile male went to Thunderbird Falls trail on 6/2/19. The three walked down to the river bank where the victim was bound with duct tape by the female and male. At some point, an altercation took place. The male shot the victim in the back of the head, pushed her into the river and fled with the female. They drove to Polar Bear Park with the victim’s belongings. They sent texts to the victim’s family members via her phone. They stated the victim was dropped off at the park. The family members took that information and used it to file a missing person’s report the next day. The male and female then drove to Lions Park in Mountain View and burned the victim’s belongings.
On 6/3/19, officers contacted a family member of the adult female who provided information that the victim may have been shot and pushed into the water. She didn’t have a location or any other details. She said the adult female told her this information and hasn’t seen her since. Meanwhile, other officers continued to investigate the Polar Bear Park circumstances with the victim’s family believing it was true.
On 6/4/19, detectives located the adult female and questioned her. They also located the juvenile male and questioned him. During this time, detectives learned of the fake story about Polar Bear Park and sent officers to Thunderbird Falls trail. Officers discovered the body of the victim along the river bank.
The male suspect has been identified as Kayden McIntosh (16 years old). He faces multiple charges including Murder 1 and Evidence Tampering. He was arrested and transported to jail.
The adult female was questioned and released.
The investigation continues and more charges are possible.
APD Cases:
19-19445 (missing person)
19-19668 (homicide)
