A Holland, Michigan, mother has been charged with the murder of her 17-year-old son after allegedly stabbing him to death on the eve of his 18th birthday, following what she claimed was his wish to die before that milestone. Katie Austin Lee, 39, is currently being held without bond, arraigned yesterday with charges of open murder and obstruction of a justice officer, as reported by WOODTV.
According to court documents, Lee called 911 last Friday morning, expressing that she "couldn't get her son to stop breathing" after a length of time trying, revealing a chilling scene in a statement detailed by WZZM13. Police were dispatched to their apartment in the Bay Pointe Apartment Complex to find Lee wielding a large kitchen knife, bloodied and unyielding, prompting officers to subdue her using Tasers.
The victim, identified as Austin Dean Pikaart, would have turned 18 the following day. Detectives note Lee admitted to attempting to jointly overdose with her son last Thursday, the day before the stabbing, according to Audacy. After their apparent failure to overdose, Lee recounted to the dispatcher that she used a knife to cut her son's throat and arm once he had passed out.
During the arraignment, family members in the courtroom expressed their support for Lee, with one saying, “We love you, Katie.” A woman identifying as Lee's sister imparted a brief statement to WOODTV, emphasizing the importance of mental health: “The only thing I can say is to take mental health serious. That’s it.” The mother and son had no record of court-ordered mental health intervention in Ottawa County, where they resided.
After the incident, a GoFundMe was set up by the family to cover funeral services for Austin Pikaart. Lee, who expressed in court that she is unemployed and disabled, was denied bond. Her next court appearance has yet to be scheduled. Court documents cited by multiple sources relayed that Lee had expected the officers to end her life so that she could join her son. The tragic incident brings to the forefront issues surrounding mental health and the systems of support, or lack thereof, in grappling with such profound personal crises.
