ABC
Timothy Hoffman, 58, tragically died during a memorial motorcycle ride marking the fifth anniversary of his daughter’s death. Hoffman lost control of his motorcycle near Wasilla, Alaska, and succumbed to his injuries later on Sunday, according to Alaska State Troopers. His wife, Barbara ‘Jeanie’ Hoffman, who was riding as a passenger, sustained serious injuries.
The couple was commemorating their daughter Cynthia ‘CeeCee’ Hoffman, who was killed in a notorious catfishing plot. Alaska State Troopers reported that Timothy lost control around 1:30 PM on the Parks Highway, veered off the road, and rolled into the center median.
Both Timothy and Jeanie were found unresponsive and rushed to the hospital. Timothy was pronounced dead, while Jeanie remained in critical condition on Monday, according to Tanya Chaison, who is engaged to Timothy’s twin brother. Despite wearing a full-face helmet, Jeanie suffered skull fractures, a broken back, and other injuries. Timothy was not wearing a helmet.
This year marked the first time Jeanie joined her husband on his bike for the annual memorial ride. In previous years, she had followed the ride in a separate vehicle. According to Timothy’s brother Robert, this was a step towards finding closure after Cynthia’s death.
In 2019, Cynthia fell victim to a catfish scheme orchestrated by Denali Brehmer, a woman she considered a close friend. Brehmer had been involved in an online relationship with Darin Schilmiller from Indiana, who was pretending to be a millionaire. Schilmiller offered Brehmer $9 million to murder someone and send photographic and video evidence of the act. Brehmer then enlisted four friends to help her kill Cynthia, reported Fox News.
The group lured Cynthia to Thunderbird Falls on the outskirts of Chugach State Park, where they bound her with duct tape, shot her, and discarded her body into the Eklutna River. Brehmer was sentenced to 99 years in prison earlier this year. Schiller, from New Salisbury, Indiana, also received a 99-year sentence for his involvement. Court documents reveal that he confessed to federal agents and the Indiana State Police that he had selected Cynthia as the target and instructed Brehmer to carry out the killing.
The trials for two other individuals implicated in the case are set for later this year. Over the past five years, Timothy attended every court hearing related to his daughter’s case, advocating for the maximum possible sentencing. He was often seen wearing his notable black leather biking jacket and carrying his small therapy dog, Diego. Recent court appearances observed him expressing the emotional distress and damage caused by Cynthia’s death on his family.
Lead prosecutor Patrick McKay expressed deep condolences for Timothy’s untimely passing, stating: “I am deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Tim Hoffman on the fifth anniversary of Cynthia Hoffman’s murder. It seems almost too unbelievable to be true.” He described Timothy as a staunch supporter of his daughter’s cause, reiterating, “I hope his family and friends take comfort in remembering that Tim died doing something he loved, with people he loved, in memory of someone he loved.”
