Dakota Van Patten was convicted of first-degree murder and first-degree kidnapping in the death of 20-year-old Melody Hoffman.
Melody Hoffman's mom delivered a powerful victim impact statement at the sentencing hearing for Dakota Van Patten, her daughter's killer. More
November 14, 2025
Dakota Van Patten sentenced for helping a friend kidnap and brutally murder 20-year-old Melody Hoffman in February 2024. More
November 14, 2025
UPDATE: Dakota Van Patten has been sentenced to life in prison after he was convicted of kidnapping and murdering Melody Hoffman. More
November 14, 2025
Iowa teen Dakota Van Patten was found guilty on all counts related to the death of his friend's ex-girlfriend. More
September 25, 2025
A medical examiner testified lab testing pointed to either a very early pregnancy or a recent miscarriage at the time of Melody Hoffman's death. More
September 24, 2025
Medical Examiner Kelly Kruse concluded that Melody Hoffman's cause of death was ligature strangulation and manner of death was homicide. More
September 23, 2025
Sgt. Adam Pulson said Melody Hoffman's phone autonnected to Dakota Van Patten's hotspot on the same day Hoffman's body was discovered. More
September 23, 2025
A mother's Life360 search led to a shattered phone—hours later, Melody Hoffman was found murdered in an alleged machete plot. More
September 23, 2025
Michael Pope describes evidence he uncovered in his search efforts, including finding Melody Hoffman's glasses in Dakota Van Patten's home. More
September 23, 2025
Megan Hoffman, victim Melody Hoffman's mother takes the stand in Dakota Van Patten's trial, where he is charged in the death of Melody. More
September 22, 2025
Nakia Svoboba testifies in Dakota Van Patten's trial where he is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Melody Hoffman. More
September 22, 2025
Tanya Jomeyer testified that she was scared to call the police after Dakota Van Patten allegedly confessed to her. More
September 22, 2025
Surveillance footage from a Walmart shows defendant Dakota Van Patten holding two machetes before the murder of Melody Hoffman. More
September 22, 2025
Dakota Van Patten is charged with first-degree murder and first-degree kidnapping in the death of 20-year-old Melody Hoffman. More
September 22, 2025
