IA - Melody Hoffman, 20, kidnapped, murdered & dumped near lake, Apple Watch showed moment it stopped tracking her heartbeat, Marion, 18 Feb 2024

[Niner]

Friday, October 31st:
*Case Management Conference Hearing (@ 2:30pm CT) - IA - Melody Marie Hoffman (20) kidnapped, murdered & dumped near Amana Lily Lake in Marion, Feb. 18, 2024. - *Logan William Michael Kimpton (18/now 20) arrested & charged (2/22/24) & arraigned (3/27/24) with conspiracy to commit forcible felony. $10K CASH only bond; released to DCS upon posting bond. Waived arraignment (3/27/24) & Pled not guilty. Linn County
Trial was set to begin on 8/19/25 continued on 11/18/25 was continued on 12/9/25.
Judge Chad A Kepros presiding. State attorney Nicholas G. Maybanks. Defense attorney John W. Bruzek.
Case & Court info from 2/18/24 thru 6/2/25 reference post #219 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...r-heartbeat-marion-18-feb-2024.705371/page-11
7/15/25 Docket update: [D0073] Order setting case management conference hearing from 7/18/25 to 7/17/25 @ 3pm.
7/17/25 Update: John Bruzek, Kimpton’s attorney, asked the court to reset the trial because additional depositions of witnesses need to be taken. Linn County Attorney Nick Maybanks & first assistant attorney Monica Slaughter didn’t resist the delay. Sixth Judicial District Judge Chad Kepros granted the motion & reset the trial for 11/18/25 @ 9am in Linn County District Court. The trial was previously set for next month. Next Case management conference hearing on 10/24/25 @ 3pm. 7/17/25 Docket update: [D0074] Order setting CMC hearing on 10/24 & trial is now set to begin on 11/18/25.
9/25/25 Docket update: [D0075] Order setting case management conference hearing on 10/31/25 @ 2:30pm. 9/29/25 Docket update: [D0076] Motion for trial transcripts from FECR153500 filed by John William Bruzek. 9/30/25 Docket update: [D0077] Motion for continuance of trial by DA Nicholas Maybanks.
10/3/25 Docket update: [D0078] Order for trial transcripts; emailed to Court reports by Judge Kepros. 10/7/25 Docket update: [D0079] Resistance to motion to continue filed by Bruzek. 10/8/25 Docket update: [D0080] Order setting trial on 12/9/25 from 11/14/25. 10/17/25 Docket update: [D0081] Notice of deposition filed by John W. Bruzek. 10/27/25 Docket updates: [D0082 thru D0087] Return of service on subpoena filed by Shawn Gilpin.
10/26/25 Docket update: [D0082] Return of service on subpoena filed by Shawn Gilpin. 10/29/25 Docket updates: [D0088 to D0090] Return of service on subpoenas (3) filed by Shawn Gilpin & Jared Deahr. [D0091] Return of service-diligent search filed by Jared Deahr.
*Dakota Lyle Van Patten (18/now 19) – Trial began on 9/15/25 & ended 9/25/25 with GUILTY of all charges. Sentencing hearing on 11/14/25..
*McKinley Louisma (23/now 25) – Trial began on 11/4/24 & ended 11/14/24 with GUILTY on all charges. Sentenced 12/20/24 to Life without parole.

 

[Niner]

Filings
Title: STATE OF IOWA VS KIMPTON, LOGAN WILLIAM MICHAEL
Case: 06571 FECR153509 (LINN)
Citation Number:
Docket # Event Filed By Filed Create Date Last Updated Action Date
D0101 Order setting hearing KEPROS CHAD A 11/04/2025 11/04/2025 11/04/2025
Comments: PLEA HRG 11/21/25 @ 2:30/JT SHALL PROCEED AS PREVIOUSLY
SCHEDULED

D0096 RETURN OF SERVICE ON SUBPOENA IOWA COUNTY SHERIFF 11/03/2025 11/03/2025 11/03/2025

D0100 Notice BRUZEK JOHN WILLIAM 11/03/2025 11/03/2025 11/03/2025
Comments: OF PLEA (ALFORD)

D0099 Other Report MAYBANKS NICHOLAS GEORGE 11/03/2025 11/03/2025 11/03/2025
Comments: CMC WORKSHEET 10-31-25

D0097 RETURN OF SERVICE ON SUBPOENA LINN COUNTY SHERIFF 11/03/2025 11/03/2025 11/03/2025

D0098 RETURN OF SERVICE ON SUBPOENA LINN COUNTY SHERIFF 11/03/2025 11/03/2025 11/03/2025

D0095 Other Order KEPROS CHAD A 11/03/2025 11/03/2025 11/03/2025
Comments: FOR TRANSPORT
TRANSPORT COPIES SENT TO JAIL 11/3/25

D0094 Motion BRUZEK JOHN WILLIAM 10/31/2025 11/02/2025 11/02/2025
Comments: FOR TRANSPORT ORDER

D0093 COURT REPORTER MEMORANDUM AND CERTIFICATE - WITH FEE

D0092 INDIGENT DEFENSE CLAIM FORM 08/26/2025 10/31/2025 10/31/2025
Comments: $3,975.00/EXP; EXPERT; 08/08/25; LBR PSYCHOLOGICAL
CONSULTANTS

link: https://www.iowacourts.state.ia.us/ESAWebApp/TIndexFrm


Looks like he might be making a plea....

 

[Niner]

Filings
Title: STATE OF IOWA VS VAN PATTEN, DAKOTA LYLE
Case: 06571 FECR153500 (LINN)
Citation Number:
Docket # Event Filed By Filed Create Date Last Updated Action Date
D0812 Other Order KEPROS CHAD A 10/27/2025 10/27/2025 10/27/2025
Comments: NO ACTION TAKEN; COPY TO JAIL

D0811 Motion VANPATTEN DAKOTA LYLE 10/22/2025 10/22/2025 10/22/2025
Comments: MOTION FOR A NEW TRIAL

D0809 COURT REPORTER MEMORANDUM AND CERTIFICATE - WITH FEE 09/26/2025 09/26/2025 09/26/2025

D0806 Order setting hearing KEPROS CHAD A 09/25/2025 09/26/2025 09/26/2025
Comments: DEFT HELD WITHOUT BOND; ON SENTENCING 11/14/2025 @2:30

D0810 ORDER FOR MAINTENANCE OF EXHIBIT KEPROS CHAD A 09/25/2025 09/26/2025 09/26/2025

D0808 JURY INSTRUCTIONS KEPROS CHAD A 09/25/2025 09/26/2025 09/26/2025

D0807 Criminal Verdict 09/25/2025 09/26/2025 09/26/2025

link: https://www.iowacourts.state.ia.us/ESAWebApp/TIndexFrm

 

[Niner]

Friday, Nov. 14th:
*Sentencing Hearing (@ 2:30pm CT) - IA - Melody Marie Hoffman (20) kidnapped, murdered & dumped near Amana Lily Lake (Morgan Creek Park) in Marion, Feb. 18, 2024. - *Dakota Lyle Van Patten (18/now 19) arrested (2/21/24), charged (2/22/24) & [written] arraigned (4/3/24) with 1st degree murder (with premeditation), 1st degree kidnapping & conspiracy to commit forcible felony. Plead not guilty. $2.5M Cash ONLY/Surety Bond. Linn County
Jury selection began on 9/15/25 & ended 9/16/25. Jury sworn in.
Trial began on 9/17/25 & ended on 9/24/25. State & defense rested their cases on 9/25/25.
Found GUILTY of all charges (9/25/25). Sentencing hearing on 11/14/25.
Judge Chad A. Kepros presiding. Prosecutor Nicholas George Maybanks. Defense attorneys Erin Michael Carr & Raya Dimitrova.
Case & court info from 1/27/24 thru 9/11/25 & Jury Selection Days 1-2 (9/15-16/25) & Trial Days 1-6 (9/17-24/25) reference post #248 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...r-heartbeat-marion-18-feb-2024.705371/page-13
9/24/25 Docket update: [D0443] Proposed Exhibit (23.18.3) filed by Maybanks.
9/25/25 Thursday, Trial Day 7: Closing arguments by Linn County Attorney Nicholas G. Maybanks & defense attorney Erin Carr. Jury received case – and found Van Patten GUILTY of all charges. Sentencing hearing on 11/14/25. He will be sentenced to life in prison without parole, which is the automatic penalty for first-degree murder in the State of Iowa.
9/25/25 Docket updates: {D443 thru D805] Sate's exhibits filed. 9/25/25 Docket updates: [D0806] Order setting hearing by Judge Chad A. Kepros. Defendant held without bond; on sentencing hearing on 11/14/25 @ 2:30pm. [D0807] Criminal Verdict. [D808] Jury instructions filed by Judge Kepros. [D0809] Court reporter memorandum & certificate with fee filed. [D810] Other for maintenance of exhibit by Judge Kepros.
10/22/25 Docket updates: [D0811] Motion for a new trial filed by Van Patten. [D0812] Other Order. No action taken; copy to jail filed by Judge Chad Kepros. 11/6/25 Docket update: [D0813] Motion for new trial filed by Raya Dimitrova.
*Logan William Michael Kimpton (18/now 20) – Alford Plea hearing on 11/21/25. Trial set to begin on 12/9/25.
*McKinley Louisma (23/now 25) – Trial began on 11/4/24 & ended 11/14/24 with GUILTY on all charges. Sentenced on 12/20/24 to LWOP.

 

[Niner]

Dakota Van Patten sentenced for machete murder of Melody Hoffman

Dakota Van Patten sentenced for helping a friend kidnap and brutally murder 20-year-old Melody Hoffman in February 2024.

www.courttv.com

Nov. 14, 2025

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (Court TV) — A Linn County judge sentenced 19-year-old Dakota Van Patten to life without parole for the kidnapping and killing 20-year-old Melody Hoffman, whose bound and mutilated body was found in a pond in February 2024.
[.....]
Judge Chad Kepros denied the defense’s motions for a new trial, ruling that the jury’s verdicts were fully supported by substantial evidence — including Van Patten’s DNA on duct tape and a knife, incriminating photos taken after the killing, and testimony showing he and codefendant McKinley Louisma acted together at every stage.
[.....]
Hoffman’s parents delivered emotional victim impact statements. Her father, T.J. Hoffman, told the court that “when someone does something so cruel, society has a moral obligation to remove that individual,” calling his daughter a light whose loss “tore generations apart.” Her mother, Megan Hoffman, tearfully condemned Van Patten as a “coward,” saying his own selfies and actions helped lead to his conviction: “You messed with the wrong mama… I hope she haunts you forever.”

Van Patten was also sentenced to up to 10 years on the conspiracy charge, which will run concurrent to the life sentences. Restitution will be determined at a later date.

 

[Niner]

and a docket update.

Filings
Title: STATE OF IOWA VS VAN PATTEN, DAKOTA LYLE
Case: 06571 FECR153500 (LINN)
Citation Number:
Docket # Event Filed By Filed Create Date Last Updated Action Date
D0817 Order of Disposition KEPROS CHAD A 11/14/2025 11/14/2025 11/14/2025

D0816 COURT REPORTER MEMORANDUM AND CERTIFICATE - WITH FEE 11/14/2025 11/14/2025 11/14/2025

D0814 Resistance MAYBANKS NICHOLAS GEORGE 11/14/2025 11/14/2025 11/14/2025 Comments: TO MOTION FOR NEW TRIAL AND ARREST OF JUDGMENT

D0815 Motion DIMITROVA RAYA 11/14/2025 11/14/2025 11/14/2025
Comments: AMENDED MOTION FOR NEW TRIAL

link: Iowa Courts Online Search - Select Action

 

[Niner]

Friday, Nov. 21st:
*Plea (Alford) Hearing (@ 2:30pm CT) - IA - Melody Marie Hoffman (20) kidnapped, murdered & dumped near Amana Lily Lake in Marion, Feb. 18, 2024. - *Logan William Michael Kimpton (18/now 20) arrested & charged 7(2/22/24) & arraigned (3/27/24) with conspiracy to commit forcible felony. $10K CASH only bond; released to DCS upon posting bond. Waived arraignment (3/27/24) & Plead not guilty. Linn County
Trial set to begin on 12/9/25.
Judge Chad A Kepros presiding. State attorney Nicholas G. Maybanks. Defense attorney John W. Bruzek.
Case & Court info from 2/18/24 thru 10/26/25 reference post #261 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...r-heartbeat-marion-18-feb-2024.705371/page-12
10/29/25 Docket updates: [D0088 to D0090] Return of service on subpoenas (3) filed by Shawn Gilpin & Jared Deahr. [D0091] Return of service-diligent search filed by Jared Deahr. Next case management conference hearing on 10/31/25 @ 2:30pm. 10/31/25 Docket updates: [D0092] Indigent Defense claim form. $3,975.08/expense for expert on 8/8/25; LBR Psychological consultants. [D0093] Court report Memorandum & Certificate with fee. 10/31/25 Docket update: [D0094] Motion for transport Order filed by John WIlliam Bruzek.
11/3/25 Docket updates: [D0095] Order for transport; copies sent to jail on 11/3/25. [D0096] Return of service on subpoena by Iowa County Sheriff. [D0097] Return of service on subpoena [D0098] Return of service on subpoena by Linn County Sheriff. [D0099] Other report. CMC worksheet of 10/31/25 filed by Nicholas Maybanks. [D0100] Notice of Alford plea filed by John W. Bruzek. 11/4/25 Docket update: [D0101] Order setting plea hearing on 11/21/25 @ 2:30pm.
*Dakota Lyle Van Patten (18/now 19) – Trial began on 9/15/25 & ended 9/25/25 with GUILTY of all charges. Sentencing hearing on 11/14/25..
*McKinley Louisma (23/now 25) – Trial began on 11/4/24 & ended 11/14/24 with GUILTY on all charges. Sentenced 12/20/24 to Life without parole.

 

[Niner]

Filings
Title: STATE OF IOWA VS KIMPTON, LOGAN WILLIAM MICHAEL
Case: 06571 FECR153509 (LINN)
Citation Number:
Docket # Event Filed By Filed Create Date Last Updated Action Date
D0105 Order of Disposition KEPROS CHAD A 11/21/2025 11/21/2025 11/21/2025

D0104 FINANCIAL AFFIDAVIT FOR ABILITY TO PAY DETERMINATION BRUZEK JOHN WILLIAM 11/21/2025 11/21/2025 11/21/2025

D0103 COURT REPORTER MEMORANDUM AND CERTIFICATE - WITH FEE FOSTER DEBBIE 11/21/2025 11/21/2025 11/21/2025

D0102 COMPUTER GENERATED NOTICE 11/21/2025 11/21/2025 11/21/2025
Comments: STATEMENT OF FEES & COSTS


link: https://www.iowacourts.state.ia.us/ESAWebApp/TIndexFrm

and an article on the hearing - not liking the 3 year probation sentence....

Hiawatha man sentenced to probation in connection to Melody Hoffman killing

One of three men charged in the murder of Melody Hoffman was sentenced to probation Friday.

www.kcrg.com

Nov. 21, 2025

INN COUNTY, Iowa (KCRG) - One of three men charged in the murder of Melody Hoffman was sentenced to probation Friday.

Logan Kimpton, of Hiawatha, took an Alford plea for conspiracy to commit a forcible felony Friday afternoon. He was sentenced to three years of probation, a suspended 10 year sentence.

An Alford plea mean he does not admit guilt, only that there is enough evidence to convict him.
[.....]
In court on Friday, Melody Hoffman’s father gave a victim impact statement in which he expressed that Kimpton had “taken away his chance to be a grandfather.”