Five people have been arrested after a teenage girl in Missouri was allegedly kidnapped, beaten and fatally shot.
Hunter Ames, Christopher Hull and Alayna Mason have each been charged with kidnapping in connection with the death of Kayla Huff, according to court records.
Meanwhile, Julian L. Mason has been charged with a felony count of tampering with physical evidence, and Huff’s boyfriend – who was unnamed due to being a minor — was also arrested in connection with her disappearance.
The investigation into Huff’s disappearance began on May 6 when her parents reported that she was missing to the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office.
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Investigators determined that Huff, 16, had been the target of an elaborate plot that involved multiple individuals who allegedly broke her vehicle so it was inoperable, according to a probable cause affidavit viewed by Law & Crime.
On May 5, Ames, 19, and other suspects allegedly took motor oil from the bed of an acquaintance’s truck and poured it into the fuel tank of Huff’s vehicle. Surveillance footage and cellphone data was allegedly used to place the suspects near Huff’s residence around 3 a.m. on the day of the incident.
Ames then allegedly told police that he woke up to another suspect on the morning of May 6 telling him “they had someone in the trunk” of a white Chevrolet Impala. Ames reportedly told investigators that he gave the suspects his own gun after a suspect said “she needed his pistol to ‘take care’ of it,” referring to Huff.
Huff was allegedly driven to the Rudolf Bennitt Conservation Area and the suspects “dragged her from the trunk of the vehicle, assaulted [Kayla] and then shot and killed [her],” according to the affidavit.
Investigators added that the specific firearm used to shoot Huff was provided by Ames.
Ames spoke to the investigators several times and he allegedly admitted to aiding in the kidnapping and discarding evidence of the crime.
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After Huff was killed, Ames allegedly admitted to helping hide the weapons that were used in the crime. While speaking to investigators on May 8, he said that another suspect drove him to a rural area to throw away an expandable baton that was used to “assault” Huff.
Ames allegedly got rid of the baton after law enforcement executed a search warrant at his home and they were unable to locate the weapon.
Randolph County Sheriff Andy Boggs announced that Huff’s body had been found on Wednesday, May 13. “This is not the outcome anyone hoped or prayed for, and our hearts go out to Kayla’s family, friends, classmates, and all those affected by this tragic loss,” Boggs said in a statement.
Boggs confirmed that the investigation into the case remained ongoing despite the arrests.
“While we are thankful for the tireless efforts of law enforcement, emergency responders, volunteers and community members who assisted in the search, we mourn alongside this family as they face an unimaginable loss,” Boggs added.
It’s not currently clear if any of the suspects have entered pleas or retained legal counsel. The Randolph County Sheriff’s Department confirmed to Us Weekly that they have no additional updates to share as of time of publication.
