An investigation revealed Devin Wolfgang Vanderhoef, now 26, had met the female victim via an online gaming platform. He became obsessed with her and traveled from Canada to California with his codefendant, Darius Avery Whyte. According to the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office, Vanderhoef had planned for a month before leaving home and flying to California to “actually kill someone.”
Vanderhoef knocked on the door and told the victim’s boyfriend he was a delivery driver. He was holding a package, according to the sheriff’s office. Vanderhoef then forced his way into the home and began to stab the boyfriend. The female victim tried to come to his defense and was stabbed and strangled in the ensuing struggle. Vanderhoef also sustained injuries during the incident. Neither victim has been named by authorities.
Inside the package Vanderhoef was carrying were handcuffs, duct tape, and knives. Whyte was arrested near the scene. He initially said he had no knowledge of or involvement in Vanderhoef’s actions, but authorities determined he had acted as an accomplice, according to the sheriff’s office. He was arrested the following day after boarding a plane to return to Canada.
Both Vanderhoef and Whyte were charged with attempted murder and conspiracy to commit attempted murder, according to the sheriff’s office.
Vanderhoef was found guilty in February, KTLA reports. He was sentenced on June 25 to two consecutive life sentences plus an additional five years. Whyte testified at Vanderhoef’s trial, stating that Vanderhoef had planned to find the woman he had become obsessed with after she cut off communication.
Whyte was sentenced in April after pleading guilty to assault charges, according to KTLA.
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