A Michigan mother who is charged with killing her son last week allegedly told authorities that his death was part of a suicide pact she had with him.
Katie Austin Lee, 39, killed Austin Pikaart on Friday — a day before his 18th birthday — at their apartment in Holland. Lee claimed she tried to get her son to stop breathing before she used a knife to slit his throat and arm, according to WOOD.
“She advised her son asked her to help him stop breathing because he did not want to turn 18,” a detective told the court during Monday’s arraignment.
Lee allegedly told a 911 dispatcher that she tried to stop her son from breathing before using a knife to cut him when he lost consciousness. She also explained how they both tried to overdose on medications at 1 p.m. on Thursday, roughly five hours before she cut him, according to MLive.
Lee reportedly called 911 at around 4 a.m. on Friday. Responding police found Pikaart lying in a bed with blood surrounding his head, WOOD reported.
According to MLive, Lee threatened two officers with a kitchen knife. Though officers tased Lee, causing her to drop the knife, she eventually retrieved it — leading them to tase her a second time.
Lee allegedly told police that she wanted them to kill her so she could be with her son.
Pikkart was pronounced dead at the scene. Forensic pathologist Dr. Stephen Cohle concluded he died of a laceration to his neck, according to MLive.
Lee is charged with open murder, in addition to resisting and obstructing an officer. She remains jailed without bond.
[Feature Photo: GoFundMe; Holland Department of Public Safety]
