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Teenage Girl Orchestrated Boyfriend's Murder
12 Aug
Summary
- Amy Preasmyer orchestrated her boyfriend's murder at 16.
- William Hoffman confessed to killing Cowles and implicated Preasmyer.
- Preasmyer was convicted of murder, conspiracy, and solicitation.
- Hoffman was released in 2020 after his sentence was commuted.
The decades-old murder of Ricky Cowles Jr., who was found beaten and shot in his California apartment in August 1997, has been re-examined.
Authorities believe Amy Preasmyer, Cowles' pregnant 16-year-old girlfriend at the time, orchestrated his killing. She allegedly blamed Cowles for her pregnancy and sought someone to end his life.
William Hoffman was convicted in 1999 for the murder, receiving a life sentence. He later confessed his guilt in a letter to Cowles' parents and implicated Preasmyer in planning the crime.
Preasmyer was convicted in 2007 of murder with special circumstances, including lying in wait and conspiracy. Jennifer Kellogg pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter, and David Ashbury was sentenced for supplying the murder weapon.
In 2008, Preasmyer received a life sentence without parole. Recent records suggest she may have been released on parole in December 2025. Hoffman's sentence was commuted, and he was released in 2020, now aiming to educate youth on consequences.
