The 2009 murder of 9-year-old Elizabeth Olten in Missouri continues to impact the community, particularly due to the motive behind her teenage killer, Alyssa Bustamante. At just 15, Bustamante admitted she wanted to experience what it felt like to kill. Elizabeth’s body was found buried with signs of brutal violence, and Bustamante later confessed, revealing disturbing thoughts in her diary about the murder. In 2012, Bustamante was sentenced to life in prison for second-degree murder. Recently, she was denied parole, leading to changes in Missouri laws regarding juvenile offenders. In 2024, new legislation was signed to ensure that juveniles convicted of second-degree murder, like Bustamante, would not be eligible for parole, a move supported by Elizabeth’s family.
Inside the Case of a Teen ‘Thrill’ Killer Whose Diary Revealed Disturbing Confession: ‘It’s Pretty Enjoyable’
< 1 min read
