The Murder of Austin Pikaart

On February 20, 2025, the day before Austin was killed, both he and his mother Katie Lee attempted to die by overdosing on medication. The attempt did not succeed for either of them. According to Lee's account, Austin did not want to turn 18, which was the following day. Lee said her plan had been to kill herself so that she could be with her son, and that she believed she was acting out of love.

In the early morning hours of February 21, Lee drugged Austin, then slashed his wrist and throat while he was unconscious. At 4:15 a.m., she called 911. In the call, which was obtained through a public records request, Lee sounds calm. She told the dispatcher her son would not stop breathing and that she had been trying for a while to get him to stop. She told the dispatcher her son had not wanted to turn 18, that she had used a knife, and that she had done it out of love. She said she had cut him after he passed out, telling dispatchers he did not feel anything.

When officers from the Holland Police Department arrived at the Bay Pointe Apartments, Lee was outside the unit holding a large kitchen knife raised at shoulder height. She refused multiple commands to drop the knife and was Tasered. She dropped the knife briefly, then attempted to retrieve it, and was Tasered again. She told officers they were supposed to kill her so she could be with her son. Officers found Austin in his bed. A forensic pathologist determined the cut to his neck was the cause of death. Lee was taken to the hospital for treatment of a possible overdose before being taken into custody.