Catfished into Murder: The Chilling Story Behind a Deadly Online Scam!

Anchorage, Alaska – A teenager who killed her best friend in a cold-blooded murder-for-hire scheme has finally revealed why she committed the horrifying crime.

Denali Brehmer, now 22, was just 18 when she lured Cynthia Hoffman, 19, to her death in 2019. The shocking part? She believed she would receive $9 million for the murder.

Brehmer was manipulated by an online predator, Darin Schilmiller, who posed as a wealthy man and promised her the fortune if she sent him proof of the killing. It was all a lie. But by the time she realized it, her best friend was dead.

The Deadly Plan

Hoffman, who had a learning disability, considered Brehmer her closest friend. On June 2, 2019, Brehmer convinced her to go on a hiking trip near Anchorage. But it wasn’t a friendly outing – it was a trap.

With the help of two friends, Kayden McIntosh and Caleb Leyland, Brehmer bound Hoffman with duct tape, shot her in the back of the head, and dumped her body into a river.

She took pictures and sent them to Schilmiller to prove she had carried out the crime, expecting to receive her promised payment.

“I Thought She Deserved It”

In a recent interview on Court TV’s Interview with a Killer, Brehmer opened up about the crime for the first time. She admitted that while the murder was planned, she also acted out of personal anger.

“I was mad at her over a boy,” Brehmer revealed. “I thought she needed payback.”

When asked if she believed Hoffman deserved to die, Brehmer hesitated before saying, “That’s on me.”

The Mastermind Behind the Scam

Darin Schilmiller, a 21-year-old from Indiana, catfished Brehmer by pretending to be a rich man named “Tyler.” He promised her millions if she carried out violent acts and provided him with photos and videos.

Brehmer, desperate for money, believed him. Not only did she go through with the killing, but she also roped in McIntosh and Leyland, who are now also serving time.

Justice Served

Brehmer pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in 2023 and was sentenced to 99 years in prison, the maximum sentence allowed in Alaska.

Schilmiller, who orchestrated the murder from his home in Indiana, was also sentenced to 99 years.

Cynthia Hoffman’s family continues to grieve, remembering her as a kind-hearted girl who trusted the wrong people.

A Cautionary Tale

This tragic case is a horrifying example of how online predators manipulate young people. It also highlights how easily someone can be convinced to commit unthinkable crimes under false promises.

As Brehmer serves out her life sentence, the story of Cynthia Hoffman is a reminder to always be cautious about who we trust  both online and in real life