CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) - In day five of the murder trial of Dakota Van Patten, associate state medical examiner Dr. Kelly Kruse provided testimony about the autopsy she performed on Melody Hoffman.

People found Hoffman’s body at Lily Lake in Amana the morning of February 18, 2024 .

19-year-old Van Patten is charged with first degree murder, kidnapping and conspiracy to commit a forcible felony in her death as an accomplice of McKinley Louisma, who was formerly in a relationship with Hoffman.

Louisma is serving a life sentence in prison for his role in the murder.

Dr. Kruse testified today about the autopsy she performed on Hoffman’s body. She said lab results recorded the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), in her body - indicative of a pregnancy.

Dr. Kruse said this

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