[Sciutto:] There are new developments this morning in the case of an 18-year-old woman who allegedly killed her best friend after someone she met online offered her $9 million to do it. Just incredible.
[Harlow:] You cannot make this stuff up. The woman now faces both murder and child pornography charges. Our correspondent, Dan Simon, has more details.
[Dan Simon, Cnn Correspondent:] Well, hey, guys. We have seen these catfish schemes play out time and time again. The manipulation and the deception can run really deep. In this particular case, it took a fatal turn involving a teenager from Alaska.
[Simon:] This young woman is at the center of a disturbing catfish scheme, induced online, prosecutors say, to murder her supposed best friend.
[Denali Brehmer:] I know what I did was wrong. And I know I could have probably done something different.
[Simon:] Eighteen-year-old Denali Brehmer's arraignment in an Alaska courtroom turned into something of a confession. Authorities say it all began after Brehmer struck an online relationship with someone she thought was a wealthy man named Tyler from Kansas, who prosecutors say offered Brehmer at least $9 million to rape and murder someone in Alaska and to have photos and videos of the murder sent to him. What Brehmer didn't know is that Tyler was a fraud, a catfisher. His real identity, police say, 21-year-old Darin Schilmiller from Indiana. The victim of this twisted scheme, Cynthia Hoffman. The 19 old-year was bound with duct tape, then shot and killed.
[Tim Hoffman, Father:] All's I know is my daughter didn't deserve all this. She should have had the friends that she wants.
[Simon:] Hoffman's father says she had a learning disability that could have made her venerable. According to court documents, the killing was carried out by Brehmer and four of her friends, including two juveniles. All, including Schilmiller, have been charged with first degree murder. It's unclear if he has an attorney. On June 2nd, under the guise of going on a hike, Hoffman was taken to the bank of an Alaskan river. She was shot one time in the back of the head. Her body then thrown into the river.
[Hoffman:] I have one thing in my mind right now. And that's to send all six of them to hell. And I ain't going to rest until it's done. And then after it's all done, I'll show my emotions.
[Simon:] And court documents say that Schilmiller, the alleged mastermind of all this, directed Brehmer in Alaska to commit sexual assault against some minors, one of whom was eight or nine years old. Investigators say they've recovered video evidence showing those crimes. This is just such a jaw-dropping case, Jim and Poppy.
[Harlow:] Yes.
[Simon:] And, of course, still a lot of unanswered questions.
[Harlow:] Yes.
[Sciutto:] Oh, it's disturbing beyond belief. Dan Simon, thanks very much. END