Mom fatally stabbed teen son with ‘death wish,’ MI cops say. She’s prison-bound
A mother who told authorities she killed her son to fulfill his “death wish” will now serve decades in prison, according to Michigan court records.
Katie Austin Lee, 40, pleaded guilty Oct. 22 to second-degree murder, among other charges, following the Feb. 21 killing of her 17-year-old son, records show.
Her son’s birthday was the next day, but he had a “death wish,” according to Lee, “because he did not want to turn 18,” a detective said in court, WOOD reported.
Lee was asked Oct. 22 by Ottawa County Circuit Judge Jon Hulsing if she gave her son a “mind-altering substance,” and she admitted that she did, according to courtroom video from Court TV.
She said “yes” when asked by Hulsing if she used a knife to cut her son’s arm and slice his throat while he was unconscious, resulting in his death.
After calling 911 and reporting the incident, Lee was still holding the knife when officers arrived, according to the Holland Police Department.
She told officers to kill her “so she could be with her son,” according to court documents obtained by WZZM.
Officers deployed a Taser when Lee would not follow their commands, police said.
Lee’s son, Austin Dean Pikaart, was pronounced dead at the scene after being discovered lying in a pool of blood, according to WZZM.
The mother’s guilty plea of murder, torture and assault of a police officer charges carries a minimum sentence of 60 years in prison, Hulsing said in court.
Her sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 19.
Alisa Pikaart said in a GoFundMe her nephew’s life was “tragically cut short.”
“Austin was caring, humorous, playful and most of all, loved and cared for his family and friends,” the aunt said in the fundraiser. “He loved video games and all things ‘space’ and ‘galaxy’ themed, and someday we plan to launch his ashes into space on an actual rocket ship for his final destination! It was truly an honor to have known him, and he will be deeply missed.”
Holland is about a 30-mile drive southwest from Grand Rapids.
This story was originally published October 27, 2025 at 11:15 AM with the headline "Mom fatally stabbed teen son with ‘death wish,’ MI cops say. She’s prison-bound."