Alyssa Bustamante’s name became known across the world when, at just 15 years old, she committed a crime that shocked many. Born into a troubled life, her story is one of darkness and tragedy.
What led this young girl to commit such a horrific act, and what has happened since? Here is all you need to know!
Who is Alyssa Bustamante?
Alyssa Bustamante was born on January 28, 1994, in Cole, Missouri, United States of America. She grew up in a troubled environment, which played a significant role in shaping her early years. Bustamante’s upbringing was marked by instability as her parents struggled with substance abuse issues. As a result, she and her younger siblings were often placed in the care of their grandparents. Despite these challenges, Bustamante was known to be a bright student, although she struggled with deep emotional issues.
In terms of her physical appearance, she stood at approximately 5 feet 2 inches (157 cm) tall at the time of her conviction and weighed around 48 kilogrammes (106 lbs). She was often described as a petite girl with dark hair and piercing eyes.
Bustamante attended school in her hometown of Cole, Missouri. She was considered intelligent and had a keen interest in various subjects. However, her mental health issues became more apparent as she grew older, leading to episodes of depression and self-harm. Her struggles were noticeable to those around her but despite receiving some counselling, she continued to battle these internal demons.
Growing up, Bustamante became increasingly withdrawn and she began to express dark thoughts and emotions through her writings and online posts. She developed a fascination with death and violence, which alarmed those close to her. Despite her outward appearance as a typical teenager, Bustamante harboured a deep sense of anger and confusion. Her struggles with her identity and emotions eventually led her down a dark path that would have tragic consequences.
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Alyssa Bustamante crime
Bustamante committed a horrific crime that shocked her community and gained widespread attention. On October 21, 2009, Bustamante, who was just 15 years old at the time, lured her nine-year-old neighbour, Elizabeth Olten, into the woods near their homes in Cole, Missouri. Bustamante had planned this crime, driven by a disturbing curiosity about what it would feel like to kill someone.
After leading Olten into the woods, Bustamante attacked and strangled her before slitting her throat and stabbing her multiple times. She then buried the Olten’s body in a shallow grave that she had dug days before the murder. Bustamante later confessed that she had chosen Olten because she was an easy target and that she committed the murder simply to satisfy her curiosity about killing.
Following the murder, Bustamante returned home and attended a church function with her family, acting as if nothing had happened. However, when Olten was reported missing, a large-scale search was launched. Bustamante became a suspect after investigators discovered her journal in which she had written about the murder, expressing satisfaction with what she had done. Her journal entry described the thrill of the act and the feeling of relief she experienced afterwards.
Bustamante was arrested and charged with first-degree murder. During her trial, her defence team argued that her mental health issues and troubled upbringing had contributed to her actions. However, the court found her guilty, and she was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole.
Bustamante’s crime was not only shocking due to its brutality but also because of her young age and the calculated nature of her actions. The case raised serious questions about juvenile crime, mental health and the impact of early life experiences on behaviour.
Alyssa Bustamante victim
Bustamante’s crime victim, Olten was a bright and cheerful nine-year-old girl who lived in the small town of St. Martins, Missouri. Born on December 15, 1999, Elizabeth was known for her sweet nature, warm smile and close bond with her family. She was the youngest of three children and was deeply loved by her mother, Patty Preiss, and her siblings.
Olten was a typical child who enjoyed playing with her friends and spending time outdoors. She was in the fourth grade at Pioneer Trail Elementary School, where she was known for being kind-hearted and friendly. Olten’s innocence and joyful spirit were evident to everyone who knew her, making her sudden and violent death all the more tragic.
On October 21, 2009, Olten was on her way home from a friend’s house when she was lured into the woods by Bustamante, a neighbour and acquaintance. Olten trusted Bustamante, who was older, and she had no reason to suspect any danger. Sadly, this trust led to her being brutally murdered in a premeditated attack.
Olten’s disappearance sparked a massive search effort by her family, the local community and law enforcement. The tragic discovery of her body two days later shocked and devastated everyone involved. Her death left a deep void in the lives of her family and friends, who continue to remember her as a joyful and loving child whose life was cut short far too soon.
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Alyssa Bustamante family
Bustamante’s mother, Michelle Bustamante, struggled with substance abuse and had frequent encounters with the law. Her father, Caesar Bustamante, was incarcerated at the time of Bustamante’s arrest. Due to the challenges faced by her parents, Bustamante and her younger siblings were primarily raised by their maternal grandparents.
Bustamante’s grandparents, Gary and Karen Brooke, provided a more stable home for her and her siblings. They took on the responsibility of caring for Bustamante, her two younger brothers and her younger sister, helping to shield them from some of the turmoil caused by their parents’ struggles. Despite the more stable environment provided by her grandparents, Bustamante continued to face emotional and psychological challenges.
Bustamante’s siblings remained largely out of the public eye during the legal proceedings that followed her crime. Their identities have been kept private and they have been shielded from the intense media scrutiny that surrounded her case.
Alyssa Bustamante age
Bustamante is 30 years old as of 2024.
Alyssa Bustamante now
As of the time of writing this article, Alyssa Bustamante is still in prison at Chillicothe Correctional Centre in Missouri, where she is serving a life sentence for the 2009 murder of Elizabeth Olten.
In July 2024, Bustamante’s request for early release was denied by the Missouri Board of Parole. This decision came after changes in state law had made her eligible for parole. However, on July 9, 2024, Governor Mike Parson signed Senate Bill 754. This new law blocks parole for anyone underage who was convicted of first- or second-degree murder. Currently, Bustamante’s next parole hearing is set for 2029, but the new law may delay it even further, possibly until 2044. Bustamante’s future is uncertain, with ongoing legal and public scrutiny surrounding her potential release.
The case has remained in the public eye, especially due to the efforts of Olten’s family, particularly her stepfather, Gary Bemboom. He was relieved that Bustamante was denied early release and hopes the new law would keep her in prison for many more years. Bemboom described the parole hearing as painful, noting that the family had to relive the trauma of Olten’s murder, with Bustamante sharing details that were not revealed during the trial.
Bustamante’s mother, Michele Preiss, has also stayed active in seeking justice. After the trial, Preiss filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Pathways Behavioral Healthcare, claiming that the clinic could have prevented her daughter’s violent actions if they had properly treated her mental health issues. In 2021, Preiss signed a petition to keep Bustamante in prison, opposing another bill related to how juvenile offenders are treated.
Bustamante’s case has been featured in various media, including documentaries like “Evil Up Close” and episodes of “Deadly Women”, which explore the psychological aspects of her crime and its impact on the community.
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