Arrest Made in Lily Lake Homicide Case
Originally Published 1 year ago — by KCRG

Dakota Van Patten has been charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping, and conspiracy to commit a forcible felony in connection to the Lily Lake murder case, while McKinley Louisma faces kidnapping charges. The 18-year-old and 23-year-old are accused of kidnapping and murdering 20-year-old Melody Hoffman, whose body was found strangled, beaten, and stabbed at Lily Lake in Amana. Investigators have confirmed Van Patten as the second suspect mentioned in the case, and court records indicate that both Van Patten and Louisma knew each other beforehand.