CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (Court TV) — An Iowa man faces life in prison at his sentencing Friday after a jury convicted him of helping a friend kidnap and murder Melody Hoffman.

In September, Dakota Van Patten was found guilty of first-degree murder, first-degree kidnapping and conspiracy to commit a forcible felony in the death of 20-year-old Hoffman.

Dakota Van Patten appears in court during his murder trial Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025. (Court TV)

Her body was found on Feb. 18, 2024, by Lily Lake in Amana. A medical examiner testified she had been strangled and had numerous stab and slash wounds.

At the time of her death, Hoffman was dating McKinley Louisma, who was friends with Van Patten. Investigators were able to determine the men were with Hoffman when she died by tracking activity on he

See Full Page