Dakota Van Patten‘s trial is underway in Linn County, Iowa, for the brutal 2024 murder of Melody Hoffman. Prosecutors allege Van Patten, an accomplice in the crime, sent Snapchat photos of himself wearing Hoffman’s glasses to friends after killing her. Now, evidence has emerged that she was pregnant.
In February 2024, prosecutors say Van Patten, now 19, and others lured Hoffman, who was 20 when she died, to Morgan Creek Park in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Once there, prosecutors allege she was ambushed, restrained with duct tape, and strangled with paracord, or parachute cord, before her body was likely moved and dumped near Lily Lake in Amana Colonies, Iowa, about 20 miles away from Cedar Rapids.
Forensic teams matched rope, tape, and clothing fibers from the scene to items recovered in Van Patten’s residence.
The incriminating selfies
Photo and video evidence were presented at the trial of Dakota Van Patten linking him to the February 2024 murder of 20-year-old Melody Hoffman, whose body was found in Amana Lily Lake, Iowa. Van Patten faces charges of first-degree murder, kidnapping, and conspiracy, accused of… pic.twitter.com/6RcINm8FDQ
— Criminally Obsessed (@CRMNLLYObsessed) September 23, 2025
After Hoffman died, investigators also say Van Patten took over 200 selfies in the hours following the killing. In many, he appears shirtless, vaping, and wearing Hoffman’s glasses. Prosecutors say he also sent some of the images to friends on Snapchat.
The glasses themselves were later recovered at Van Patten’s home, and DNA evidence linked Van Patten to the crime.
The pregnancy revelation
Notably, lab results revealed in court show detectable levels of hCG in Hoffman’s body, the hormone linked to pregnancy. Medical Examiner Dr. Kelly Kruse emphasized this could mean she was pregnant or had recently miscarried at the time of death, possibly explaining motive, though it would be difficult to know for sure.
During the trial, prosecutors and investigators also raised the issue of Hoffman’s alleged intellectual disability, which they said may have made her more vulnerable to manipulation by those accused of plotting her death.
Van Patten is not the only person charged in Hoffman’s killing. Her ex-boyfriend, McKinley Louisma, was convicted in 2024 of first-degree murder, kidnapping, and conspiracy and is serving a life sentence without parole. A third defendant, Logan Kimpton, is awaiting trial later this year on conspiracy charges tied to the case.
Van Patten, who did not testify, says he’s innocent. Van Patten’s acquaintance did testify in court that he admitted to killing someone.
As of Wednesday, September 24, 2025, both the prosecution and the defense had rested their cases. Closing arguments were scheduled to begin the next day. The jury is expected to start deliberations soon after.
