LINN COUNTY, Iowa (KCRG) - Dakota Van Patten is set to be sentenced Friday for the murder of 20-year-old Melody Hoffman.

Van Patten was convicted of first degree murder, first-degree kidnapping and conspiracy to commit a forcible felony in September. He faces life in prison without parole, the automatic penalty for first-degree murder in Iowa.

Melody Hoffman’s body was found the morning of February 18, 2024, at Lily Lake in Amana. She was 20 years old.

In his trial, Van Patten’s attorney argued Van Patten was present but did not participate or “aid and abet” in the killing.

Van Patten is named alongside McKinley Louisma and Logan Kimpton as suspects in Hoffman’s death. Louisma is serving a life sentence in prison, and Kimpton awaits trial.

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