Hi. Drop it. DROP IT. DROP THE KNIFE. NOW, >> these officers have just arrived at this Michigan apartment to arrest the crazed mother of 17-year-old Austin Pikeart, Katie Lee. But unfortunately, they are too late. >> Is that him? >> Mhm. How old is [music] he? You know, >> because inside, Austin is already dead. Killed by his own mother for one of the most absurd reasons you have ever heard. He didn't want to have his 18th birthday. I'm the only one he had. >> With Katie truly believing that what she did was the ultimate act of love. >> God, I sound like a complete victory. I never thought I'd be the one on an interrogation video. I watch them. They all think they're not going to be on them until they are. It was 4:00 a.m. on February 21st, 2025 when the Holland Police Department got one of the most haunting calls of their career. >> My son won't stop breathing. >> He won't stop what? Breathing. >> He won't stop breathing, >> right? >> Okay. Like, is he like breathing too fast? I don't >> We were going to leave yesterday and it got way out of hand. And I couldn't get him to stop breathing like he made me promise to do. And I can't get him to stop breathing. Is your son awake? >> No, he's just not stopping breathing. It got out of hand. Okay. What happened? And he was just going to go to sleep and it didn't work. Normally, when police get calls from concerned parents, it's because their child isn't breathing. [music] In this case, 39-year-old Katie Austin Lee's concern was that her son was still [music] breathing after she had stabbed him. And when police arrive at the scene, they learn that she's not finished with that knife just yet. >> You got the Jimmy She's only got the phone in her hand. Currently vomiting. She just did. >> FINE. DROP IT. DROP IT. DROP IT. DROP IT. DROP IT. DROP IT. >> DROP IT. >> DROP THE KNIFE NOW. >> Just drop the knife, man. JUST DROP THE KNIFE. STOP. HEY, I got to bail down. I got to bail down. >> Just drop the knife. Just drop the knife. That's all you need to do. Please, please just listen to me. All you Here you go. Here you go. Thank you so much. Please just come out to the hallway. Stop. Stop. >> This is the exact moment that this officer realized his life was just seconds from changing as he knew it. Because if you look closely, you can see that Katie isn't just coming towards him in the hall. She's going for the knife on the floor. Just before she grabs it, the officer on the stairs manages to tase her in her leg, dropping her to the ground. We'd show you the footage, but well, you know the rules here. In the aftermath of her tasing, she tries to play herself as the victim in spite of what's all over her hands. Because according to her, she killed her son out of love. >> Okay. Ma'am, where are you injured? Or is all the blood on you from your son? >> You good with her? Yeah. Is all the blood on you from your son? I'm going to sit you up. Okay. Can you put your legs straight? >> I believe it's going to be an obvious. >> Okay. I'm going to set you up. Sit right there. Okay. I'm going to scoot you back. [snorts] Yep. There you go. >> I'm sorry for all that. [snorts] >> We just couldn't do it anymore. >> Okay. >> Everything that's coming out of the building. She's here. Um we'll escort her through downstairs. If you want to bring a cruiser right up to the front entrance here [snorts] of this building. >> Uh I'm really glad we didn't know when you're there and we'll help us. >> We really need to Yeah. Don't touch that. Um if you want to just lock this hallway down >> No one's coming down here. Nope. No one's [snorts] coming down earlier, but now >> we will take you some handy. >> Yep. >> Yep. We are going to get you medical attention here shortly. Okay. >> Police hurry inside to check on Austin, but by the time they reach him, they realize he's been dead for quite some time. [music] Austin was less than 24 hours away from his 18th birthday on February 22nd. But his mom selfishly and cruy took that milestone away from him, an [music] act that she claims was out of the goodness of her heart and her love of her son. But if she really loved her son, she wouldn't have left officers with this scene to take care of. >> Okay. In the back room. Yeah. >> In the back room. The >> first one. First one. Okay. Thanks guys. Is there history here? >> I've never interacted with them before. >> Is that him? >> Yeah. >> How old is he? >> 17. >> Oh, yeah. 2018. >> Yeah. >> I only saw like a tid on the call before cuz I just finished fueling and hopped in and came. >> Did you notice that the blood on her hands and wrists were already dry? >> Mhm. >> It's been a bit >> It's been a while. >> Cool to the touch. >> I don't know. >> Got blankets. >> Austin was discovered wrapped in blankets, having been cut three times and given pills by his own mother. Luckily for her, police are there to take care of her as her own dose of the pills start to kick in. >> You want to grab her feet? Yeah. >> Katie, wake up. Katie, we're moving you. >> Sorry about your head, gear. Hold on. Hold on. Katie was transported to the hospital and treated for an overdose. Meanwhile, police ready themselves to talk to the self-proclaimed mother of the year. >> Having these rights in mind, um, can we talk to you for a little bit? >> Yep, it was a yes. I just want to make sure that was a yes. Okay, thank you. >> I think you've been to our house for this before. >> It's possible. I probably didn't have a beard. I know that your your name sounded familiar to me. We we talked to a lot of people. Was Why would I have been there before for uh I've had to call many times at him and other >> Oh, because he was getting out of hand maybe or calling for other people >> or when I tried to do this like >> Did you catch that? when I tried to do this like 5 years ago. It's something that Katie never expands on and the officer here never returns to. But as you'll see, around 2020 is when Katie and by extension Austin began to shut themselves out from the outside world. It's the time when Katie claims that Austin began having problems. Though in 2020, Austin was 13. And if you've ever seen a 13-year-old with their parents, it comes with inherent problems. At that age, kids find independence. They want to explore to find themselves. But underneath Katie's roof, that didn't happen because she was such a good protective parent in her opinion, of course. Well, we were going to be pretty lowkey, okay? We're just going to we we just want to kind of understand. I don't know that we do. So, understand? >> Well, that's why we're here. We're hoping that you can maybe help us at least try. Okay. So, Yeah. [snorts] >> Tell me about that. >> He's got a brain injury and has been showing up in your classroom since preschool actually but kindergarten officially. He went there for 8 years and I have to go get him all the time. It was a a big deal. And I am also disabled [laughter] now. I can't drive and I can't take care [laughter] of him. >> Okay. >> I reached out to every doctor I know. >> Okay. [snorts] >> And I we're just tired. We get tired. He was tired. [laughter] He was tired. He was baby made me promise not to let him wake up after and then once I started I couldn't stop [laughter] and want the tr it was just [laughter] I didn't know how to end it. He wanted us to shoot me. We can't validate any of the claims that Katie has made regarding her son Austin. [music] What was happening in their relationship and in regard to his behavior is all from her lips because she made it so he could never talk about it again. Those who knew and loved Austin remarked that he loved fishing with his dad, studying space, playing video games, and embarking on new creative endeavors. He was smart, funny, and above all, kind, which is one of the many reasons why his mom isn't a reliable narrator. After all, she saw Austin in a completely different light. And if you enjoy killers like this, realize they're not winning an Oscar. Subscribe and check out our Spotify where we upload podcasts every week. >> Can you maybe tell us kind of so understand like what led up to this? I know that you said that he was >> Take your time. Take your time. I >> I have to pee so bad. I can't even walk to the bathroom. I I I don't even remember. I mean, we're just talking about everything that's happening in the world today and how it's going to be and I wrote some of it in that letter. >> When did you start talking about this? >> That day? Well, we've talked about it forever. >> What What is forever? Years? Months? Well, we always said when the end time comes, we'll have a plan. So, that's what I mean by forever. Just joking around, I guess. >> Okay. Well, like, is this something that you guys have discussed for quite some time? >> Not really. >> Okay. >> I think we just had an understanding. Okay. He was so tired. >> When >> he didn't want to have his 18th birthday. >> Okay. >> It was yesterday. >> Okay. When did that discussion about his 18th birthday start? >> Um, sometime during that day. >> Sometime the >> the day before the night that this all happened. Is that correct? >> Yes. me wanted to wait [snorts] and I I couldn't get it to happen. That's why there's three. >> Are you referring to the cuts? >> Three cuts. >> He said his soul was gone a long time ago. >> He He told you that? >> No. >> He was just surviving in here. So, I think you said it wasn't supposed to happen the way that it did. >> No. >> Can you Can you Can you tell me what was supposed >> just go to sleep and I could maybe like go like this and he would just go out, but he was fighting back. >> Go like go like what? >> Out. >> Okay. >> I didn't think it would be so hard. Okay. And then just kept going cuz it was too hard. >> I think there was um a little medical thing for his finger next to the bed. >> Were you using that? What was What was that for? >> See in his heart he was going down >> to see if he was still alive. [snorts] >> Okay. There was also >> I know the sounds. I know it. I never thought I'd be the one on an interrogation video. I watched them, but they all think they're not going to be on them until they are. This isn't who I am. >> If Katie watched enough interrogations, you'd think she'd do what we've told people to do all along. Ask for a lawyer. Unless you're going to be really funny, of course. And when she wasn't putting her son through a living nightmare, she was writing in a little journal where she tried to justify her actions. >> I, like I said, I did read part of your note, and it seemed like from the note, you were coming from a place of protection and care, and I'm just trying to understand that >> the world's not made for us. >> Okay. Can you tell me about that? >> We haven't hardly left the house in 5 years. >> Okay. Because for one, my pain, but he doesn't make friends. He never has. >> Okay. >> He knew what he was doing. >> Okay. >> He did take those. He just made me promise that he wouldn't wake up from it cuz he didn't want to do it and be in a hospital. >> Okay. [sighs and gasps] What do you remember what time of day that was? >> Early. >> What's early? Noon or one? >> Is that noon the day before? Because this kind of went on through the night. Is that right? >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, noon or 1 he started. Did you help him smash up some medication or did he smash up the medication >> and put it in the What was the fluid that was in there? Was that >> water? >> Just water. Do you remember what medication was put in there? >> Was it just gabapentin? >> But he took other meds too. Okay. What else did he take? >> So then that was around 1:00 or noon the day before. Right. Then what happened? Were you guys still continued conversations? >> Yeah. >> He he didn't fall asleep. >> Fell asleep eventually. He couldn't feel any of it. >> Okay. >> None of it. >> Okay. was, if I remember right, in this note, it said that did he make a comment even after there was a cut? >> Yeah. >> What' he say? >> I asked him if it hurt and he said no. And I don't remember if you ask him something specific, but >> what time >> there was a lot of time in the day to cover. So, >> okay. So, so there was he he Did you start taking pills at that same time? >> I wanted to make sure he was out. >> Okay. [snorts] So, that was about 1:00 p.m. And then there was a first cut made on him. When was that? >> No, about 4 >> in the afternoon. Yeah. >> And you did that cut too? He didn't do that? No. Which one was that? The first one was a wrist. >> The the lower one. >> Yeah. >> Okay. And then what happened after that? >> It didn't work. >> Okay. >> What did you do that with? All right. The three that were right there. >> Okay. That was I was going to ask you. There was there was some knives in the room. >> I brought those in in case you guys came. I was going to try to end it really quickly for him so that he didn't have to be able to make it up. [snorts and sighs] >> Those So the knife that you came out was trying to do it quickly anyways, but it didn't. >> The knife that you came in the hallway with, that's the knife that you used. >> One of them. >> Okay. >> And there should be two more in there. >> Okay. In the in where? >> This room. >> Okay. Did you use multiple knives? Why? Why [clears throat] different? >> I I lost my mind, you know, there like >> Yeah, >> I wouldn't have ever done this. >> I I don't believe it. Doesn't sound like you did this out of a place of hate. That's for sure based on what I'm seeing here. But that's why I'm trying to understand. It sounds like it came out of a place of protection. >> We've just been so tired. >> Yeah. >> She's trying to survive every day. >> Mhm. >> [snorts] >> I can't even cry. I don't think it's hit me yet. So, so then that first cut was about 400 p.m. you said, I think, right? And did he take continue to take more? Was that drinking it? Was it taking pills? What was that? What did that look like? >> All of the above. >> All of the above. And what were you doing in the meantime? talking to him. >> What was he saying? [snorts] >> He was tired. That um >> he was sorry he couldn't do it and that broke my heart. >> What do YOU >> NOT THAT THAT he couldn't do it, that it wasn't working. >> Oh, he was sorry that he >> it wasn't working. >> And I I I just want to be clear and I know what you mean by this, but that he wasn't >> Yeah. He was sorry that he wasn't quick enough. Up until what point were you still able to talk to him? >> I think right before that. >> So he was still talking to wake up and go back to sleep a little bit. >> Was he saying anything at that point? >> Not a whole lot. I didn't >> anything that makes sense or what was the what was the last thing that he said if you can remember? >> I love you. >> I love you. Was that shortly before you called the police that he was still I'm sorry. was I'm just trying to understand the timeline. Was that shortly before that the end there? >> I think so. >> Time kind of runs together a little bit. Katie claims to have killed Austin because she truly believed the world was going downhill fast. She claimed later that she believed the FBI was watching her and that drones were stalking her every move. For months on end, she forced Austin to watch conspiracy theory videos about the end of the world, feeding him propaganda and serving as his only outlet to the outside world. She tells police that she was putting her son out of his misery before he turned 18 and had to deal with a dying world. But there's something else about him turning 18 that seemed to bother her. >> I thought we were going to lose our houses. Okay, that's mostly what that was. >> You You thought you were going to lose your apartment? Why would that be? >> Cuz he's turning 18 and I had to reapply for all the social security stuff and I had his appointment this Wednesday and the the >> the record they were going to send. I wasn't comfortable with them sending because of people having access to it. Now, >> there was something about his 18th birthday. I know that was yesterday and I know that you said there was some concerned about losing some >> Oh, he had an appointment. I don't know if he would have lost it or not. >> Okay. >> I I don't know, but he he said he didn't want to have his 18th birthday. >> When when did he say that? Has that been something that he's been talking about for for some time or like how how did that >> He doesn't do anything. He had a birthday party in years. He won't leave the house. >> Okay. It it seems to me that this was I mean you guys had some some stuff that you had ordered, you know. Um I saw the the survival stuff in the house and it seems like it was >> I bought it and I told him we're going to look at that every day. >> Okay. >> And this is when I had better optimistics of the world. >> Okay. >> And know that we could either end up in that or not. Okay. >> And that's what that was. So, it wasn't like I was prepping for the end. It was just a and then we could go donate it to somebody that needed it. I'm not needing it. Get a job. All that stuff. >> Not needing it would be getting a job and so forth >> start living his life. I it was just something I was trying like just every day look at it and realize I don't want >> to end up in that >> in that >> cuz he was turning 18 with no ambitions to do anything and to leave and I can't force him to do anything anymore. >> Mhm. >> And when I did he would get physical with me. He's had me out physical times. >> Mhm. >> When's the last time he was physical with you? >> Last time I made him do something. Know about when that was. >> A year and a half ago. Okay. >> I gave up. [snorts] >> You g You said you gave up. So if if he didn't want to do something, he would lash out at you. >> If Austin was 18, he could legally leave home and really do anything that he wanted. He would no longer be under his mom's control, and she would no longer be getting financial help for having a child in her home, which was important because Katie was disabled and not working, meaning she relied on payments from the state and federal government to fund her life. Conveniently, her son had to die before she lost those payments. But surely he was killed out of love. >> We said it would be today. That kind of implies that you had talked about it on previous dates. No, >> you hadn't talked about doing this together. >> Like I said, we had talked about if the end times came to run towards [clears throat] that, but >> Okay. >> We hadn't made a plan or anything. >> Okay. until that day. >> Okay. >> Um, was there discussion between you two guys, between you two how it would be done? >> No. >> No. >> I told him I thought it would be quicker and peacefully and then you would just go to sleep and I wouldn't have to fight him and he would just go to sleep. And what was his response to that? >> Okay. >> Okay. >> So, he was well aware of what was happening. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> And then that's why after it started, I couldn't stop cuz it was trauma really bad at that point, you know. >> What would you guys talk about when he woke up? Um, a lot of times I would say, "I don't know what to do." Cuz I didn't. >> Yeah. What would he say? >> Well, he looked at it and he got scared and then I really had to do something. >> Okay. [snorts] >> Looked at why I got scared. Yes. Are you referring to the cuts that were there? Okay. I >> I looks like I read in here um he's so strong. I don't know if I can do this. Did he start fighting you at one point? At what point was that? >> But in that he just wasn't passing away as well. Like he didn't have >> right >> that will to live any other time. >> Gotcha. >> And then he was not doing it. And it was >> I know. >> Yeah. Was I guess that's what I'm at. So when you said he he's he's so strong, you're are we're referring to his will to live or it sounds like he was fighting physically too. >> Little of both. >> Little of both. Was that at the end? >> Yeah. >> Was that the what? That was that like I said, I don't want to put words in your mouth, but was that during the last >> I I think so. Yeah. >> And it was like kind of brought you to that point where this has gone so far. >> Okay. That he was physically fighting with you a little bit. >> Having to tell myself you'll be painfree now. >> Cuz that's what it when I'm reading this, it sounds like it escalated out of anything that you ever intended. But police have a question about the scene and whether she actually intended to die. >> Then what happened? It looked like there may have been some like rags and stuff. Was there attempt at cleaning up or what was >> I don't know. I was not cleaning up per just so that it wasn't all around me. >> Okay. >> I didn't need to clean up obviously. It wasn't >> right. I thought I would be going to >> There was a some writing in blood. What was that about? >> So happy. >> What was it? >> Why? >> Okay. And did he write that or? >> No. >> You wrote that? What was the meaning behind that? >> Why? Why am I doing this? >> Why are you doing this? Okay. >> When did you end up writing that? >> I don't know. >> Now I am a little bit. You said that you wrote this the journal entry basically during there's no we didn't see any blood. >> I think I might have started part of it but it wasn't for that purpose. just the um the part about the play blue dot and just how things are going and then it turned into I added on to it. >> Okay, >> is what that is. >> It looks like some of this was written before and after the the cut, >> right? That's what I mean that but it wasn't made for that purpose. You'll see there's a change in the writing. >> Okay. Yeah. Were you washing your hands between time that you didn't get blood on the journal or >> what's that? >> No. >> Okay. >> I'm trying to get it off. >> Um God, I sound like a complete wipe. Do you have any regrets or anything that you would change? >> Of course I do. Everything that I did for the last 18 years. >> What would you do different? >> Everything. I would start disappointing him better. I would not play with his dad. I would not let his dad drop him. I wouldn't have gotten in the car drunk enough. When I lost my license, he wasn't with me. But I just would have made every single decision different because it all snowalled down to each other and got me to where I am right now. As loud as I screamed and cried for help, nobody ever heard it. [snorts] And now I'll be in prison for the rest of my life. When cops asked that question, surely they were expecting her to express some remorse for killing her son. Instead, she expressed remorse for raising him, essentially placing the entire blame on him all over again. When Katie was released, she was charged with first-degree murder, torture, [music] and resisting and obstructing officers. She faced life in prison, but rather than go to a jury, she decided to take the easy way out and plead guilty to a lesser charge of secondderee murder, as well as those additional charges. After so many months of mental health medication, counseling, and reflection, you'd think she would have realized that she didn't kill her son out of love. She did it out of fear. Yet, in her statement at her sentencing, she proved that she had learned nothing. How does someone start something so important when words can only convey so much? I decided on where it means the most to me. My love for Austin. I love him with all that I am. It's endless and my heart is broken. It was just us for 18 years and through it all. He's my baby, my wreck, and my purpose. Because of my health, the shame, and the paranoia, there was so much I wasn't telling anyone. [snorts] Out of fear of losing Austin and out of fear of losing Austin and I see now that would have been best, but I didn't think anybody would ever love or understand the way I could. [snorts] Starting in 2020, my already struggling mental and physical health declined to the point we are no longer leaving the house house except for doctor's appointments. After 5 years of not being out in the world, it became really hard for me to tell what was real and not real with the algorithms on my phone being nothing but the world is ending content. I fell so deeply into an echo chamber that we were living in a different reality and it was a terrible one. [snorts] I had managed to keep my head above water, but barely. Now, for me, the only thing scarier than life in prison is life without Austin. And I'm so sorry I gave everybody that sentence. >> Katie will serve a minimum of 60 years behind bars [music] and a maximum term of 90 years. She will never see the outside of a cell again. Our thoughts are with all of Austin's loved ones. Thank you for tuning in. Besides subscribing to help us make more videos exactly like this one, you can also listen to all of our crime podcasts over on Spotify. And before you go, check out one of the craziest cases I've ever covered right here, or one of my newest uploads right here.