Michigan Mom Accused of MURDERING Son—Claims He BEGGED to Die Before 18!
A Michigan mom faces murder charges after allegedly slashing her 17-year-old son’s throat, claiming he asked to die before turning 18. 🌐 #News #HollandMI #Michigan #Crime
HOLLAND, MI – A chilling case unfolded in Holland, Michigan, where a mother allegedly killed her teenage son by cutting his throat after a failed overdose attempt, telling police he wanted to end his life before reaching adulthood.
A Deadly Pact Turns Violent
Authorities in Holland, a city in western Michigan, report that 39-year-old Katie Lee contacted 911 early Friday morning to report her son’s death.
The 17-year-old, Austin Pikaart, was found lifeless in their apartment with his throat slit and stab wounds on his arm.
Lee, now held without bond, faces an open murder charge, leaving it to a jury to determine if her actions amount to first- or second-degree murder. She also faces a charge for resisting and obstructing an officer after allegedly threatening police with a knife when they arrived.
Police say Lee confessed that she and her son attempted to overdose on medication together. When that failed to stop his breathing, she turned to a knife, cutting his throat while he was unconscious. She told investigators her son had been pleading for help to end his life, unwilling to face turning 18.
Confrontation at the Scene
Holland Department of Public Safety officers responded to the Bay Pointe Apartment Complex around 4:15 a.m. after the 911 call.
Upon entering the apartment on East 16th Street, they encountered Lee armed with a knife.
After she ignored repeated commands to drop the weapon, officers used a Taser to subdue her and take her into custody.
Authorities later learned she had hoped the responding officers would shoot her, allowing her to join her son in death after their overdose plan fell apart.
Court Appearance and Charges
During her arraignment on Monday in Holland District Court, Lee appeared emotional, shedding tears as Judge Bradley Knoll ordered her detained without bond.
She initially hesitated when asked about legal representation but ultimately agreed to a public defender. Reports indicate she refused to engage with the Public Defender’s Office or a bond screener prior to the hearing.
The detective sergeant handling the case revealed Lee’s alleged statements to police, painting a grim picture of a mother and son trapped in a desperate pact.
RELATED TOPICS: Crime | Michigan
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