Kayden Mclntosh, 22, from Alaska, has received a 70-year prison sentence for the murder of a 19-year-old woman with developmental disabilities. According to the court documents, he reportedly believed that if he killed the teenager, he’d receive $750,000. The Alaska Department of Law confirmed that McIntosh pleaded guilty to second-degree murder of Cynthia Hoffman. His sentencing was announced on November 15.
The incident unfolded in June 2019 when Hoffman went missing during a hike. At that time, she was accompanied by Denali Brehmer, whom she considered her best friend, and another companion. Two days later, the woman with developmental disabilities was found on the banks of Eklutna River.
Her body was bound with duct tape, and the back of her head revealed a gunshot wound. According to the Department of Law, initial investigation revealed that Hoffman’s best friend, Brehmer, who was 18 at that time, had been lured by Darin Schimiller. The Indiana man offered him $9 million to kill a person and then send the pictures and videos to him.
Kayden McIntosh, now 22, was sentenced to decades in prison for his role in what prosecutors describe as the murder-for-hire killing of 19-year-old Cynthia Hoffman at Thunderbird Falls in 2019. https://t.co/FimXY4O2OL
— Anchorage Daily News (@adndotcom) November 15, 2025
It was McIntosh, who was 16 at that time, who ultimately killed the 19-year-old, as he believed that he would receive money for his role in the crime. According to the Anchorage Daily News, the 22-year-old believed that he’d receive about $750,000 for killing Hoffman.
An intense investigation revealed that Brehmer and McIntosh killed Hoffman without remorse. According to the authorities, they drove her to Thunderbird Falls, where they first shot her, then duct-taped her body, and even took photos.
Judge Andrew Peterson, who was in charge of the case, stated, “[McIntosh] showed no real remorse and has never fully admitted his conduct. This was not an impulsive act. This was a planned, premeditated act.”
However, Kayden McIntosh is not the only one who has been charged in connection with the case. In 2024, Denali Brehmer, who played a main role in the murder, was sentenced to 99 years in prison. Darin Schilmiller also received the same sentence after pleading guilty to solicitation charges.
Three defendants have now been sentenced in the murder-for-hire of a 19-year-old girl in Alaska.
Cynthia Hoffman was shot after her friend #DenaliBrehmer accepted a $9 million offer to kill in a catfishing scheme.#CourtTV – #CynthiaHoffman pic.twitter.com/gtKjIALk13
— Court TV (@CourtTV) August 23, 2024
In addition, Caleb Leyland, another man who also participated in the crime, was sentenced to 30 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. The Anchorage Daily News reports that an additional two were charged as juveniles.
Hoffman’s father, Timothy, revealed that his daughter had developmental disabilities. In June 2024, 5 years after his daughter’s death, the father also tragically lost his life. According to Alaska State Troopers, during a memorial ride honoring his daughter, he lost control of his motorcycle.
