Indiana
Indiana man who manipulated Alaskan teens into murder-for-hire gets 99 years
The Indiana man who catfished and manipulated a group of Alaska teenagers in 2019 into murdering a vulnerable young woman was sentenced to 99 years in prison on Thursday.
Twenty-five-year-old Darin Schilmiller of Indiana won’t be eligible for parole until he’s served 45 years. Schilmiller pleaded guilty in August to soliciting the murder of 19-year-old Cynthia Hoffman.
Superior Court Judge Andrew Peterson said he reviewed hundreds of pages of evidence that included Schilmiller’s electronic communications with his co-defendant, as well as photos and video the offenders shot, and police interviews. The judge summarized Schilmiller’s actions like this:
“This was intentional, premeditated murder for hire,” Peterson said. “You plotted with other co-defendants to kill somebody you never met for no reason other than the sheer thrill of controlling others and seeing it be done.”
Peterson said Schilmiller’s actions were shocking, beyond comprehension and showed a total lack of humanity, care and compassion.
Schilmiller and the Alaskan teens’ crimes were not limited to the murder of Hoffman, who had an intellectual disability. Schilmiller is also awaiting sentencing on related federal charges for conspiracy to create child pornography.
Timothy Hoffman is the victim’s father. He made two brief, crude statements to Schilmiller as he was escorted out of the courtroom. Hoffman described himself as a believer in Jesus and forgiveness, but couldn’t bring himself to forgive in this case.
“One down, five to go,” he told reporters afterward, referring to other then-teenagers involved.
One of them, Denali Brehmer, now 23, had been scheduled for sentencing this week, but that has been delayed and currently set for mid-February.
Another, Caleb Leyland, now 24, is scheduled for sentencing June 10. Kayden McIntosh, now 20, has a case pending trial. And two others are in the juvenile justice system, which is not public.

Jeremy Hsieh covers Anchorage with an emphasis on housing, homelessness, infrastructure and development. Reach him at jhsieh@alaskapublic.org or 907-550-8428. Read more about Jeremy here.
Indiana
‘Foul play’ suspected in death investigation on Indiana-Ohio state line, Wayne County officials say
WAYNE COUNTY, Ind. (WISH) — Police are investigating the death of a person who died in the emergency department of Reid Health in Richmond.
Wayne County Coroner Brent Meadows was notified of the death Wednesday evening, according to a media release. Evidence has reportedly indicated that foul play is involved.
Officials believe the incident may have occurred in the area of the Petro Travel Center in New Paris, Ohio, just across the Indiana-Ohio state line.
The coroner’s office said the deceased person has been transported to the Miami Valley Regional Crime Laboratory in Dayton, Ohio, for a forensic autopsy and identification.
The office is still working the locate and identify the victim’s family.
This remains an active investigation.
News 8’s Michaela Springer contributed to this report.
Indiana
Braden Smith to play for hometown Indiana Pacers after NBA draft selection, trade
Braden Smith spent four seasons with Purdue basketball proving all the power conference programs who overlooked him missed out.
Now the former Boilermaker point guard has a chance to do the same in the NBA.
Smith, a Westfield native, is headed to the Pacers after Indiana traded for him when the Chicago Bulls selected him with the 38th pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, a source confirmed to IndyStar.
Smith is Purdue’s third draft pick in five years, joining lottery picks Jaden Ivey and Zach Edey among a group of now 11 NBA draft selections to play at Purdue under Matt Painter.
Here’s a look at Smith’s Purdue career and what he brings to the Pacers.
Before capping a career that includes two Big Ten regular season and two Big Ten Tournament championships, along with helping Purdue end a 44-year Final Four drought, Smith broke former Duke guard Bobby Hurley’s all-time NCAA assists record.
Along the way, Smith took home the 2025 Bob Cousy Award as the nation’s top point guard in a season where he also was the Big Ten Player of the Year. A two-time consensus first-team All-American, Smith finished his Purdue career eighth in career points (1,932), third in steals (249) and has the top three assist seasons in school history that helped add to his NCAA record total of 1,103.
Smith’s knock is his 5-foot-10 1/2 height measurement, but that didn’t deter him from being one of college basketball’s top players.
What Smith lacked in height, he made up for in basketball IQ. He’s lethal with a midrange jump shot and showcased an unblockable fadeaway that allowed him to shoot over lengthier defenders. He mastered manipulating defenses while playing with marquee big men the last four seasons.
His role in the NBA likely will be not require him to be the team’s primary playmaker immediately. Smith’s awareness of that fact pushed a more defensive-minded approach in preparation for the next level. At the NBA Draft Combine in May, Smith showed he’s capable of defending elite guards.
Smith is an elite competitor who never showed to shy away from the dirty work, which is something that can help him earn NBA minutes as a rookie while trying to find his footing in an unfamiliar backup role.
Nathan Baird and Sam King have the best Purdue sports coverage, and sign up for IndyStar’s Boilermakers newsletter.
Indiana
Body of teen recovered from Lake Michigan after search near Indiana beach
The body of a 13-year-old boy was recovered from Lake Michigan during a multiple-day search near a beach in Michigan City, Indiana.
Officials did not provide further details.
A search has been underway since Monday night after witnesses reported seeing a child wearing red shorts enter the water.
Michigan City police said officers responded to a possible drowning just before 5:40 p.m. on Monday near Washington Park Beach.
Police said the child disappeared underwater just south of the lighthouse and did not resurface.
A search was initiated with dive efforts, a fishing boat, drone technology, and a medical helicopter deployed.
The Michigan City Fire Department said three divers suffered minor injuries during the search and are being treated at Franciscan Health. Fire officials said divers encountered “challenging water conditions” before the search was suspended.
Officials have not identified the body recovered.
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