A Michigan mother is accused of killing her 17-year-old son “out of love” because he didn’t want to turn 18.
Katie Austin Lee, a Holland, Michigan resident, has been charged with murdering her son, Austin Pikaart, per reports.
Officials said Lee sounded calm as she requested immediate police assistance, telling the dispatcher that Pakaart “won’t stop breathing.”
The call also revealed that she and he had attempted to die by suicide the previous day by taking pills that had not worked.
Lee could be heard telling the dispatcher that Pikaart did not want to turn 18 and that she acted “out of love.”
The mother admitted to using a knife after the 17-year-old had passed out, saying that he did not feel anything.
Sounding perplexed and confused, the call captured the moment the dispatcher tried to understand the situation, asking if Pikaart had asked Lee to kill him.
Police said they arrived at the Bay Pointe Apartments, where they found Lee with a knife.
Officials said despite their commands to drop the knife, the mother refused, which prompted officers to tase her before arresting her and taking her to get treated for a potential overdose.
Police said they found Pikaart dead inside the home, and on Monday, Feb. 24, 2025, Lee was charged with his murder.
The family has established a GoFundMe to help cover Pikaart’s funeral expenses.
The National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available for anyone in crisis by calling 988.
