Alyssa Bustamante was born on January 28, 1994, in Cole, Missouri, into a turbulent environment. Her parents, Cesar Bustamante and Michelle Brock, were both teenagers battling addiction and unprepared for parenthood. From a young age, Alyssa witnessed the instability in her family; her mother was arrested twice—once for drug possession and another time for driving under the influence. Despite their struggles, Cesar and Michelle had three more children, including twins and a younger sister, Emma. Over time, Michelle distanced herself further, eventually deciding to leave her children for good.
Cesar faced his own challenges and, in 2002, when Alyssa was only seven, he was sentenced to ten years in prison for assault. With both parents absent, Alyssa Bustamante and her siblings were taken in by their maternal grandparents, Gary and Karen Brock, in Saint Martins, Missouri.
Life with Her Grandparents
Karen Brock, a devout Mormon, tried to instill discipline in the children. The household ran on a strict schedule, with mandatory church attendance and household rules. While her siblings adapted relatively well, Alyssa Bustamante was resistant to the structured life her grandparents aimed to provide.
As she grew into her teenage years, Alyssa Bustamante became more withdrawn. By the age of 13, her emotional struggles became visible—she began self-harming, using razor blades to carve words into her skin. On one occasion, in September 2007, her grandparents discovered her in the bathroom, having carved “hate” into her abdomen after an overdose of Tylenol. Gary and Karen rushed her to the hospital, where she received initial medical care and was later diagnosed with depression and bipolar disorder. She was prescribed Prozac, but it had little effect on her worsening mental state.
With access to social media, Alyssa’s rebellion took on a public form. She often posted dark messages, shared images styled with heavy eyeliner, and wore deep red lipstick to mimic blood. Her online persona reflected a fascination with dark themes, which she expressed openly, even involving her younger siblings in her videos. On her YouTube account, her bio read ominously, “I like cutting myself and killing people.” One video, titled “Electrocuted by Electric Fence,” showed Alyssa Bustamante encouraging her younger twin brothers to grab an electric fence meant for livestock. Their reactions were met with Alyssa’s laughter in the background.
Outside of her online presence, Alyssa’s behavior continued to raise red flags. She had conflicts with classmates, challenged authority figures, and harmed herself in increasingly severe ways. Her self-inflicted scars reportedly reached over 300 by the time she was 15.
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A Disturbing Revelation
In a chilling moment, Alyssa Bustamante confessed to a friend at a party that she wondered what it would feel like to take a life. Though her friend dismissed it as attention-seeking, the comment would later take on a haunting significance. Even as her medication dosage was increased during her last psychiatric visit, Alyssa’s struggles remained evident through her social media posts. She frequently hinted at her pain, once tweeting, “All I want in life is a reason for all this pain.”
On the evening of October 21, 2009, Emma, Alyssa’s 6-year-old sister, invited her friend, 9-year-old Elizabeth Olten, over to play. Initially hesitant, Elizabeth asked her mother, Patricia “Patty” Price, for permission. Patty agreed, reminding her to return before dark and to take her cell phone with her.
As daylight faded, Elizabeth’s absence grew concerning. Patty tried calling her daughter’s phone, but with no response, a sense of dread set in.
The Search Begins
When Patricia went to check with Emma’s grandparents, Karen Brock mentioned she hadn’t seen Elizabeth that day. Growing increasingly worried, Patricia tried repeatedly to reach her daughter’s phone, but each call went straight to voicemail. Realizing something was seriously wrong, Patricia reported Elizabeth as missing to the police. Authorities immediately began a search, combing through the neighborhood for any sign of the young girl.
As the hours passed, the community mobilized. By 11 PM, news of Elizabeth’s disappearance had spread, and volunteers joined the search efforts. Law enforcement attempted to trace Elizabeth’s cell phone and discovered it was still within the vicinity, somewhere in a wooded area between her home and Emma’s. This discovery surprised Patricia—Elizabeth was known to fear the woods, especially after dark, and would never have gone there willingly.
A Suspicious Discovery
The FBI joined local authorities, bringing in trained dogs and even divers to investigate the nearby river, but there were no immediate clues. In a tense turn of events, volunteers discovered what appeared to be a freshly dug hole hidden among the trees. The hole was large enough for a person, but upon closer inspection by police, it was found empty, adding a new layer of mystery.
With limited leads, police turned to Emma, who was the last person seen with Elizabeth. Growing anxious, Emma admitted that while they were playing in the woods, Elizabeth had become stuck in some thorn bushes. Emma said she ran back home to get Alyssa’s help but didn’t see Elizabeth again after that. This admission led investigators to focus on Alyssa Bustamante, who they soon learned had skipped school the day before Elizabeth’s disappearance—an unusual break from her previously perfect attendance record.
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Questioning Alyssa Bustamante
When brought in for questioning, Alyssa Bustamante appeared unnervingly calm. Instead of directly asking about Elizabeth, detectives probed her about the strange hole found in the woods. Alyssa casually stated that she had dug it herself, claiming it was for burying dead animals. However, her response only heightened suspicions. Later that day, investigators obtained a warrant to search Alyssa’s room.
Inside her room, they uncovered a trove of unsettling details. Her walls were covered with dark sketches and phrases, some appearing to be drawn with what looked like blood. Among the writings was a disturbing line: “I cut to make physical what I feel inside; I cut to see blood because I like it.” Letters from her incarcerated father were scattered around, but nothing directly tied her to Elizabeth’s disappearance—until detectives found something that caught their attention.
A drawing with “Emma” written in red ink stood out on the wall, leading detectives to question whether Alyssa Bustamante might have harbored violent thoughts toward her sister and chosen Elizabeth as an alternative target. However, the most shocking discovery came in Alyssa’s diary.
The Diary’s Dark Secrets
Alyssa’s diary contained disturbing entries, including confessions of violent thoughts. One of the entries detailed a desire to set a house on fire with all its occupants trapped inside. Then, on the last page, investigators found a note dated October 21, 2009—the very day Elizabeth disappeared. Two faint words were scrawled under the date: “throat” and “cut.” Forensic experts worked to recover more of the erased text while detectives called Alyssa Bustamante back for another round of questioning.
This time, Alyssa was even more at ease, but when detectives brought up her diary entries, she hesitated. Cornered, Alyssa Bustamante eventually made a confession, though her initial story was that Elizabeth’s death had been accidental—a result of a fall in the woods. Detectives pressed further, stating, “If we find the little girl’s body, her throat will be cut.” At that, Alyssa’s calm demeanor cracked, and investigators knew they were close to the truth.
A Shocking Confession
Forensic experts managed to recover a chilling passage from Alyssa’s diary: “I just killed someone. I strangled and cut their throat and stabbed them. Now they’re dead. I don’t know how I feel right now; it’s amazing. Right after I did it, I felt like, ‘I can’t do this,’ which was actually pretty enjoyable. Now I’m kind of nervous and shaky. I have to go to church now.”
Detectives noted Alyssa’s use of plural terms in her diary entries, which raised concerns about potential other victims. Although no other disappearances had been reported, the fact that Alyssa Bustamante had dug two separate holes in the woods pointed to a disturbing possibility. Combined with her ominous reference to her sister Emma and her YouTube video involving her younger siblings, investigators began to wonder if Alyssa’s initial target might have been her siblings and that she had chosen Elizabeth instead as an easier victim.
Under mounting evidence, Alyssa confessed to the crime, though she remained silent on why she used plural references in her diary or why she had prepared two graves. These questions, along with her disturbing behavior and cryptic drawings, left investigators unsettled, hinting at a troubled mind capable of unthinkable actions.
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Leading Police to the Scene
On October 23, Alyssa Bustamante guided officers to Elizabeth’s hidden grave—not the empty pit volunteers had stumbled upon, but the concealed spot that held the grim truth. Deep in the woods, they uncovered Elizabeth’s lifeless body, meticulously hidden under rocks and branches. Alyssa Bustamante’s attention to detail had kept the site unnoticed until then. She was promptly arrested and charged with first-degree murder, a charge indicating premeditation, and was taken to Cole County Jail to await trial.
A forensic examination confirmed the extent of Elizabeth’s injuries—she had been strangled, her throat and wrists were cut, and she had suffered multiple stab wounds. This evidence allowed authorities to piece together the events leading up to Elizabeth’s tragic death. On Friday, October 16, 2009, Alyssa Bustamante, free from school that day, had used the time to dig a grave in the woods, setting a sinister plan into motion.
Five days later, on October 21, when Alyssa saw her opportunity as Emma invited Elizabeth over, she put her plan into action. After some time spent playing outside, Alyssa Bustamante led the two girls into the woods under the pretense of showing them something. Once they reached the forest, Alyssa sent Emma away, leaving herself alone with Elizabeth. Leading Elizabeth deeper into the trees, they arrived at the two holes Alyssa had prepared.
Seizing the moment, Alyssa struck Elizabeth, then pinned her down, strangling her until she lost consciousness. To ensure Elizabeth wouldn’t survive, Alyssa Bustamante pulled a knife and delivered multiple stab wounds. Afterward, she dragged Elizabeth’s body into the grave, covering it thoroughly with rocks and branches, then returned home as if nothing had happened.
Media Coverage and Legal Proceedings
News of Elizabeth’s death drew intense media attention, though authorities initially withheld Alyssa’s identity and age to preserve the integrity of the trial. Due to the severity of the crime, there was considerable debate over whether Alyssa should be tried as an adult. Missouri’s dual jurisdiction system allows minors to be held until age 21, at which point a court determines whether they have been rehabilitated. However, prosecutors were adamant that Alyssa Bustamante, seen as a societal threat, should face the full weight of the law.
Elizabeth’s family held a heartfelt funeral on October 28, 2009, themed around her love for princesses. Her pink casket arrived by horse-drawn carriage, surrounded by family and friends wearing her favorite color. Loved ones remembered her as a sweet, kind girl who adored cats and, while shy, was always friendly.
Alyssa’s Adult Trial Decision
On November 17, 2009, a judge ruled that Alyssa Bustamante would be tried as an adult, making her subject to the maximum penalty. Her defense attorney argued that this decision posed significant risks for Alyssa due to her age and emotional state, expressing concerns over her ability to withstand her time in the Cole County Jail. On December 8, 2009, Alyssa entered her plea, surprisingly opting for “not guilty,” despite the mounting evidence and her confession.
While awaiting her next court date, Alyssa Bustamante showed signs of severe anxiety and depression, attempting self-harm by scratching herself. Concerned, prison doctors placed her under close watch and recommended a psychiatric evaluation. Her attorney filed a motion for her transfer to a mental health facility, which the judge granted, resulting in Alyssa’s relocation to the Children’s Psychiatric Hospital, and later to Fulton State Hospital for further observation. Due to her mental health, her trial was initially postponed to May 16, 2011. Her lawyer filed for an earlier trial date, arguing that public judgment had already condemned her, and expediting the process was essential for her well-being.
Plea Change and Final Confession
The trial was ultimately scheduled for January 30, 2012, but weeks before, Alyssa Bustamante expressed a desire to take responsibility. On January 10, 2012, she entered a guilty plea to second-degree murder and armed criminal action, aiming to avoid the possibility of a death sentence. This plea could lead to life imprisonment with parole eligibility, or a sentence ranging from 10 to 30 years. Some believed it was a legal strategy, but Alyssa’s new lawyer insisted it reflected her genuine desire to accept accountability.
At the court’s request, Alyssa recounted the events of October 21, 2009. In a flat tone, she described how she had strangled and stabbed Elizabeth, her admission delivering the final piece of closure to a case that had gripped the community with sorrow and shock.
The Final Confession
When prosecutors questioned Alyssa Bustamante about the details of Elizabeth’s murder, she confirmed using a knife to cut her throat. The admission devastated her grandmother, who left the courtroom, overwhelmed with grief. Alyssa’s lawyers highlighted her mental health struggles, mentioning a suicide attempt two years prior and an increase in her antidepressant dosage two weeks before the crime. They also drew attention to her traumatic background, citing her mother’s abandonment and her father’s incarceration. Psychologists who evaluated Alyssa testified to her severe emotional disturbance, major depression, and symptoms consistent with borderline personality disorder. Her defense team hoped these factors might reduce her sentence or lead to a psychiatric facility placement rather than prison.
However, the prosecution pushed for a severe sentence, demanding life imprisonment plus an additional 71 years, emphasizing the premeditated nature of the crime, evidenced by the two graves Alyssa had dug. Ultimately, Alyssa Bustamante was convicted of second-degree murder and armed criminal action.
Alyssa’s Apology and Sentencing
On February 8, 2012, Alyssa addressed Elizabeth’s family in court for the first time. She expressed deep regret, saying, “I know words will never be enough. They can’t describe how terrible I feel about all this. If I could trade my life to bring hers back, I would. I’m so sorry.” Despite her apology, Elizabeth’s family remained unmoved. Patricia, Elizabeth’s mother, referred to Alyssa as a “diabolical monster,” while Elizabeth’s grandmother, seated in a wheelchair, shouted, “Alyssa should be released from jail the same day Elizabeth comes out of her grave.”
That day, Alyssa was sentenced to life in prison for second-degree murder with the possibility of parole after 35 years and 5 months. This means Alyssa Bustamante could apply for release when she reaches the age of 50.
In 2014, Alyssa attempted to appeal her sentence, citing a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling against mandatory life sentences without parole for minors. She argued that, had she known about this ruling, she would not have entered a guilty plea. However, in a later hearing, Alyssa Bustamante acknowledged that she was aware of her options at the time of her plea. The Missouri State Court of Appeals ultimately denied her appeal in March 2014.
Civil Lawsuit and Settlement
In October 2015, Patricia, Elizabeth’s mother, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Alyssa Bustamante, seeking over $5 million in damages. While a trial was initially set for August 7, 2017, Alyssa signed a settlement agreement in March of that year. Patricia accepted the settlement on June 25, with the condition that Alyssa notify her if she ever receives money from publicizing details about Elizabeth’s case.
Following her conviction, Alyssa gained an unsettling fan base, receiving letters from individuals who viewed her as a rebellious icon. Many young fans on social media called for her release, declaring admiration for her, despite the pain inflicted on Elizabeth’s family. This following has continued to grow, with some fans disturbingly idealizing her actions.
Today, Alyssa remains incarcerated, continuing to seek parole eligibility before reaching the age of 50. She argues that she should not have been tried as an adult and that her personal history should have received more consideration in court. Despite her efforts, Alyssa Bustamante has shown little remorse for her actions, according to prison staff, who describe her as a high-risk inmate. She has refused psychiatric treatment, maintaining that she is a “normal” person, even as her future remains uncertain.
