Melody Hoffman Obituary – The woman discovered deceased near Amana Lily Lake on Sunday morning in Iowa County has been identified by authorities. The Iowa County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that the body belongs to Melody Hoffman, a 20-year-old resident of Marion. In connection to the case, an arrest has been made, and criminal charges have been filed against McKinley Louisma, a 23-year-old individual from Hiawatha.
According to the sheriff’s office, the body was found at the pond located at 220th Trail and 38th Avenue in Amana. An autopsy has been conducted by the Iowa State Medical Examiner, although the full report has not yet been released. However, the preliminary opinion from the office suggests that Hoffman’s cause of death was strangulation, and she also had multiple stab wounds.
Investigators utilized cellphone tracking data and witness testimonies to establish that Louisma had picked up Hoffman in his vehicle at approximately 11 p.m. on Saturday. They were together until her demise. Additionally, it was revealed that Hoffman’s Apple Watch recorded an escalating heartbeat while she was at Morgan Creek Park in Linn County before it either stopped functioning or was deactivated.
During a search warrant of Louisma’s vehicle, authorities discovered Hoffman’s phone case, a white Apple Watch band stained with blood, a bungee cord, a towing rope, gloves, and clothing matching what she was wearing. Allegedly, these items were found in a bag located in the trunk of Louisma’s car.
As per the criminal complaint, Louisma, accompanied by another individual, bound Hoffman’s wrists with duct tape at Morgan Creek Park and placed her in the trunk of his car. They proceeded to drive her to various locations before ultimately reaching the pond where they assaulted her, tore her clothes, and left her there.
Investigators have determined that Hoffman and Louisma were involved in an intimate relationship, and he was still seeing her at the time of the incident. Louisma was also in a relationship with another person.
McKinley Louisma is now facing charges that include kidnapping and conspiracy to commit forcible felony. He was arraigned in court on Tuesday morning.