Shivangi Sinha
In 2019, authorities discovered the remains of Cynthia Hoffman near Thunderbird Falls in the Eklutna River, Alaska, just days after her family had reported her missing. She had been fatally shot in the head, and her death was ruled a homicide. Investigators soon turned to phone records to trace her final moments and identify the people she had been with. The case and the capture of those responsible were later featured in ID’s ‘Mean Girl Murders’ episode titled ‘Cold As Ice.’
A Seemingly Friendly Meet-Up Turned Fatal For Cynthia Hoffman
On October 8, 1999, Timothy and Barbara Hoffman welcomed their daughter, Cynthia “CeeCee” Rose Hoffman, into the world. She grew up in Anchorage, Alaska, alongside her sisters Samantha, Kimberly, and Sydney, as well as her brother Timothy. The family endured a difficult period after the passing of Timothy, but with time, they found a way to move forward while keeping his spirit alive in their hearts. Following her parents’ separation, Cynthia also shared a warm relationship with her half-siblings, Ryah Jenkins, Alex, and Jared Lopez, who loved her deeply. Though she had a developmental disability, Cynthia never let it hold her back. She lived life on her own terms, always doing exactly what she wanted. She attended Robert Service High School before moving on to the ACE/ACT program.
Cynthia occasionally worked at restaurants as a server or waitress, but she spent most of her time with her father. She assisted him with his handyman business and loved being his right hand. She was known for her cheerful nature and the warm smile she shared with everyone she met. On June 2, 2019, Cynthia told her family she was going out with friends for a little while, but she never returned home. Concerned for her safety, her family reported her missing. Days later, on June 4, her remains were discovered on the banks of the Eklutna River near Thunderbird Falls in Chugiak, Alaska. She had been shot once in the back of the head, and her hands were bound with duct tape. It was immediately clear that she had been the victim of homicide, prompting a swift investigation.
The Killers Had Invited Cynthia on the Pretext of Hanging Out With Them
The first people investigators turned to were Cynthia Hoffman’s family. Her sister revealed that Cynthia’s best friend, Denali Brehmer, had texted her on June 2, 2019, and said she had dropped Cynthia off at a park. Police quickly located Denali and obtained a search warrant for her phone and other electronic devices. Through this, they uncovered the full scope of what had happened. Denali had been communicating with someone saved in her phone as “Tyler,” a person she had met online and had been talking to for several months on Snapchat. This individual was later identified as Darin Schilmiller of New Salisbury, Indiana. He had instructed Denali to kill someone in Alaska and promised her $9 million in exchange for photos and videos of the crime.
Denali enlisted the help of two friends, 16-year-old Kayden McIntosh and 19-year-old Caleb Leyland, in carrying out the plan. Darin, who was catfishing Denali by posing as a wealthy millionaire, had promised her a huge payout, and she agreed to share part of the money with her accomplices. Caleb contributed by providing the vehicle for the scheme. Although Darin had not initially named a specific target, once he learned that Denali and Cynthia had fallen out over a boy named Zack, he identified the latter as the victim. Denali later admitted that she, too, was angry with her “best friend” for the same reason and agreed to make her the target. On June 2, Denali, Caleb, and Kayden lured Cynthia from her home under the pretense of going on a “hike,” which they later described as code for getting high together.
Kayden, Denali, and Cynthia spent time together in the woods when they suggested a game of tying each other’s hands with duct tape. After Cynthia was bound, with even her mouth covered, she began to panic. When they removed the tape from her mouth, she threatened to report them for kidnapping and assault. At that point, Kayden pulled out a 9mm handgun and shot her in the back of the head before placing her body in the river. They then destroyed evidence by burning her clothes, purse, cell phone, and the weapon. Denali later alleged she went along with Kayden’s instructions because she was afraid of him. After the killing, they sent photos and videos of the crime to Darin, which investigators later recovered.
Darin Schilmiller and Denali Brehmer Are Behind Bars Today
On June 7, 2019, Denali Brehmer was arrested on charges of conspiracy to commit murder, solicitation of murder, tampering with evidence, and second-degree murder. Shortly afterward, Darin Schilmiller was also taken into custody and extradited to Alaska, where he faced charges of first- and second-degree murder, along with conspiracy to commit first-degree murder. During the investigation into their involvement in Cynthia Hoffman’s death, authorities uncovered that Denali and Darin had also engaged in the solicitation of illegal pornography. At Darin’s direction, Denali had taken and sent explicit images to him. In July 2023, both pled guilty to charges of producing child pornography.
In January 2024, Darin pleaded guilty to one count of solicitation to commit murder in the first degree, with the remaining charges against him dropped. He was sentenced to 99 years in prison, with no time suspended, for his role in Cynthia’s murder. The following month, in February 2024, Denali pleaded guilty to one count of first-degree murder and was likewise sentenced to 99 years with none suspended. The court also classified her as a “worst offender.” Then, in August 2024, both Darin and Denali received additional sentences of 30 years in prison along with lifetime supervised release for their involvement in child pornography offenses.
Darin is now about 27 years old, and Denali is around 25. Both of them are currently in the custody of the Alaska Department of Corrections. Specific details regarding their incarceration and whether or when they might be eligible for parole have not been made public. Following the passing of Cynthia’s father in an accident in June 2024, her siblings have vowed to continue seeking justice and to ensure that those responsible for her death are never granted freedom.
