Mother kills teen son before his 18th birthday, claims he wanted to die

Dubai: A 39-year-old woman in Michigan has been charged with murder after allegedly killing her teenage son, claiming he had asked her to take his life before he turned 18. According to Fox17, Katie Lee is accused of fatally slashing the throat of her 17-year-old son, Austin Pikaart, inside their apartment.

According to the Holland, Department of Public Safety, officers responded to a domestic incident at Lee's home on February 21. Upon arrival, they found her standing at the door, gripping a large kitchen knife covered in blood. Perceiving an imminent threat, officers drew their weapons and ordered her to drop the knife. When she refused to comply, one officer deployed a taser, ultimately subduing and detaining her.

Lee reportedly called the police herself, confessing to the crime. Court documents reveal that before using the knife, she had attempted to stop her son from breathing for some time. She told investigators that Austin had pleaded with her to end his life before his upcoming birthday on Saturday.

In a chilling revelation, Lee also stated that both she and her son had attempted to overdose on medication five hours before the fatal attack.

Following her arrest, Lee reportedly begged the police to kill her so she could be with her son. Inside the apartment, officers discovered Austin’s lifeless body on his bed, with his neck wound determined to be the cause of death.

Now facing a murder charge, Lee could be sentenced to life in prison if convicted. During her court appearance via Zoom, she sobbed throughout the proceedings. Despite the severity of the allegations, her family expressed their support, shouting, "We love you, Katie," from the courtroom gallery, according to WZZM13.