He Was Catfished into Thinking He'd Get $750,000 for Killing 19-Year-Old. Now He's Going to Prison By Liam Quinn

An Alaska man who believed he would receive $750,000 for his role in killing a 19-year-old woman with developmental disabilities was sentenced to 70 years in prison.

Kayden McIntosh, 22, was sentenced on Nov. 15 after he pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in connection with the 2019 kidnapping and death of Cynthia Hoffman, according to the Alaska Department of Law.

Hoffman went missing in June 2019 while on a hike with Denali Brehmer, whom the victim considered her best friend, and another friend.

Hoffman’s body was found two days later on the banks of the Eklutna River. She had been bound with duct tape and had a gunshot wound to the back of her head.

Authorities said that McIntosh and Brehmer decided to kill Hoffman after Brehmer had been lured by an Indiana man, Darin Schilmiller, who offered $9 million to kill someone and send him pictures and videos of the crime.

McIntosh was ultimately the one who killed Hoffman and believed he would receive money for doing so, according to the Department of Law.

The Anchorage Daily News reported that prosecutors said McIntosh thought he’d get $750,000 for the crime.

Brehmer and Kayden McIntosh, who were 18 and 16 at the time, drove Hoffman to Thunderbird Falls, according to authorities. After McIntosh shot Hoffman, the pair duct-taped the victim and took photos.

“[McIntosh] showed no real remorse and has never fully admitted his conduct,” Judge Andrew Peterson said. “This was not an impulsive act. This was a planned, premeditated act.”

Several people were charged in connection with Hoffman’s death.

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In 2024, Brehmer was sentenced to 99 years in prison for her role in the murder. Schilmiller was also sentenced to 99 years after pleading guilty to soliciting a murder.

Another man, Caleb Leyland, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 30 years in prison.

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Two others were charged as juveniles, according to the Anchorage Daily News.

Hoffman’s father, Timothy, said his daughter had developmental disabilities and considered Brehmer to be her best friend, the paper reported.

Timothy Hoffman died in June 2024 after he lost control of his motorcycle during a memorial ride commemorating the fifth anniversary of his daughter’s death, according to Alaska State Troopers.