Katie Lee, Holland, Michigan mom kills teen son to fulfil his death wish. Parent charged with open murder of 17 year old son, Austin Dean Pikaart.
A Michigan mother has been charged with her teen son’s murder after telling responding police who found the 17 year old’s lifeless body that he ‘insisted on dying.’
Katie Lee, 39, of Holland, Michigan was charged with ‘open murder’ after the parent allegedly killing her son, 17-year-old Austin Dean Pikaart, at their residence at the Bay Pointe Apartments on 16th Street on Friday.
On the morning of her arrest, the mom called 911 to say she’d been trying to get her son to stop breathing for some time, but had been unsuccessful so far, according to court records. The parent said over the phone her son asked her to kill him before he turned 18 on Saturday.
Holland, Michigan mom claims wanting to die alongside son
She told dispatchers she cut her son in his throat and arm with a knife after he passed out, FOX17 reported.
Lee claimed both she and Austin tried to overdose on medication early in the afternoon of Thursday. About five hours later, Lee used the knife on her son.
When officers arrived just after 4 a.m. on Friday, Lee opened the apartment door still holding a large kitchen knife, and appeared ready to attack the officers. Both the knife and Lee’s clothing had blood on it, police said.
The two officers drew their guns and ordered Lee to drop the knife several times, only to continue holding the blade. Eventually an officer tried to use a Taser, which did not incapacitate her.
Lee then threw the knife into the hallway before running out to try to grab it again. Officers were able to take her into custody without further injury.
While in handcuffs, Lee told officers they were supposed to kill her so she could be with her son the Holland Sentinel reported.
Mental health crises
Police found Austin’s body lying on his bed having lost large amounts of blood. An autopsy determined Austin was killed by the cut to his neck and his death determined to be a homicide.
Read a GoFundme fundraiser for burial costs for the teen in part: ‘Austin was caring, humorous, playful and most of all, loved and cared for his family and friends. He loved video games and all things ‘space’ and ‘galaxy’ themed.’
Lee faces one count of open murder and one count of resisting an officer. She’s being held without bond, and could spend the rest of her life in prison if convicted.
Lee was denied bond at arraignment. She said in court she is unemployed and is disabled.
A probable cause conference is scheduled for 1:15 p.m. Tuesday, March 4. Lee’s preliminary mental health exam is scheduled for 10 a.m. March 11.
Neither mother nor son had any record of court-ordered mental health intervention in Ottawa County, where they had lived for a decade.
