Alyssa Dailene Bustamante, a 15-year-old Jefferson City teen was arrested after she admitted to murdering her 9-year-old neighbor, Elizabeth Olten, because “she wanted to know what it felt like”.
According to police reports, On October 21st Bustamante strangled and stabbed Elizabeth, slashed her throat, and then buried her in one of two graves she had previously dug a week before the murder. When asked, the leading officer, Sergeant David Rice, declined to comment on the purpose of the second grave. He did however pause when asked if Elizabeth's body was found in only one of the graves, before replying, "No I can't tell you that right now." (Read that story here)
Investigators say a search was launched for the 4th grader after she was reported missing October 21. Elizabeth's family was instantly concerned when it became dark and Elizabeth had not yet returned home. One family member commented that Elizabeth was extremely afraid of the dark so she was immediately worried.
Police found what they are calling “written evidence” that led them to Bustamante, who, on October 23rd, showed investigators where Olten's body was buried. She led them to the graves which were situated within a wooded area that had already previously been searched. Bustamante was arrested and placed into Juvenile Detention.
When questioned why she killed the little girl, Bustamante stated that she just wanted to know what it felt like to kill someone. In a later interview, Trisha Rhodes, a close friend of Bustamante's commented that Alyssa had previously expressed this desire to her but that she did not take it seriously. Another close friend, Jennifer Meyer, told News 4's Mark Schnyder, that at a birthday party Alyssa had pulled her aside and told her the same thing. She speaks about their friendship and the Alyssa that she knew. (Watch that interview here). *Read further interview details with friends in this article: Bustamante's Friend Speaks Out.
Bustamante's friends and family describe her as a bright and normal teenager who regularly attended church youth camps and sermons. They spoke of the change in her attitude at age 13, when she tried to commit suicide. She had been receiving mental help for her depression and was taking Prozac at the time of the murder. Her father is currently serving jail time for assault and her mother was recently released after serving time for drug related charges. Alyssa has been living with her grandparents, her Aunt Kathryn Neito-Puckett, her Aunt's recent husband Ryan Puckett, her two younger brothers, and her younger sister. Bustamante's younger sister was good friends with Elizabeth Olten and had been playing with the victim before the incident.
Photographs of Alyssa show a teen fascinated with what many would deem morbid topics. Juxtaposed with the images of her blackened eyes and blood colored lips are those that show her sweetly smiling with stuffed animals and laughing with friends at youth camp. (Click to view photos: 20 Photos of Alyssa Bustamante )
Bustamante had many online profiles, some of which speak of “pain and terrors” and reference depression. Mixed in with these feelings are normal everyday events and sentiments of a 15 year old child. On Bustamante's YouTube account she lists her hobbies as "killing people" and "cutting". A friend states that she made no attempt to cover up her cutting and the scars on her wrists were visibly apparent. On her YouTube page Bustamante posted her own Jackass type stunts featuring her two younger brothers. One of which shows her and her brothers shocking themselves on an electric fence. (Although her profile has been suspended the videos are being hosted by other members. Watch those videos by clicking here.)
She also had an account with SingSnap under the name Wolf_Heart (which has since been suspended) where she videotaped herself performing 8 different recordings of songs such as Creed's "One Last Breath" and 3 Door's Down's "Here Without You".
Since her arrest she went to trial on November 18th where the judge concluded she would stand trial as an adult. She is scheduled for another hearing on December 8, 2009. Following her appearance in court on the 18th Bustamante was moved to The Cole County Prison where she was placed under 24 hour suicide watch after attempting to cut herself with her nails. Her court appointed lawyer, Kurt Valentine, is actively attempting to have her moved to a psychiatric hospital where she can receive help for what he calls "severe depression". All court documents are now available here: The Cole County Court Records.
Alyssa's friends have vocally expressed their feelings on their facebook and myspace pages. Many of her close friend's post status updates defending her character and exclaiming their loyalty no matter what the circumstances.
One friend posts, "ill stick by my friend till i die. till im dead. shes one of the greatest friends ive ever had, & she always will be. dont pretend like you know anything about her. you dont. you dont. you never will. dont even pretend to. youre the monster. youre evil. youre crazy. you know nothing. & you never will."
Other friends express similar sentiments commenting on the heated atmosphere of the school and the high tension of the gossip mill which immediately exploded following Bustamante's arrest. Trisha Rhode's (The friend who first spoke to news reporters about Alyssa) posted her myspace mood as "Missing Alyssa" and her status read: "Alyssa I love you soo much. i miss you and i wish you were here to ease thepain. :( i feel sooo alone now. you were a close friend...goodbye ur in my prayers..hope ill visit u again"
Friends have made mention to Bustamante's boyfriend and have even stated their convictions that he was the one responsible for her actions. One friend argues that he drugged her and encouraged her. Others state that she was highly intoxicated and under the influence of this powerful teenage crush. Another close friend, Katelyn Marshall has vocalized her support of Bustamante in numerous Nancy Grace forums (Click here to read) arguing that her friend is "covering" for her boyfriend and "taking all the blame". These statements have not been confirmed and until further information is released are to be considered as speculation.
Here are a list of additional links I have compiled in my research for further information:
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