Dakota Van Patten sentenced for machete murder of Melody Hoffman
Dakota Van Patten sentenced for helping a friend kidnap and brutally murder 20-year-old Melody Hoffman in February 2024. More
November 14, 2025
Dakota Van Patten
Dakota Van Patten was convicted of first-degree murder and first-degree kidnapping in the death of 20-year-old Melody Hoffman.
IA v. Dakota Van Patten: The Machete Murder Plot Trial
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
Melody Hoffman may have been pregnant when killed: medical examiner
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
Melody Hoffman’s mother details daughter’s last hours
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