When you follow a true crime story, especially one that gets national attention, it’s common to wonder what happens to the people left in the aftermath. The children, in particular, often carry the heaviest burden.
This is certainly the case for the daughter of Amy Preasmyer, a story many know from the NBC show Dateline.
That leads to a very understandable question: Where is Amy Preasmyer’s daughter now? The answer is that Kayleigh, born in 1998, lives a quiet and private life in California, intentionally separated from her mother’s notorious past.
She was raised by a loving, extended family who came together to protect her. In this article, we’ll cover the key facts of the case, clarify Kayleigh’s situation, and explain what her life is like today, based on publicly available information.
The Tragic Background of Amy Preasmyer
Amy Preasmyer’s story is one that quickly spiraled from a teenage relationship into a murder plot. At 16 years old and pregnant, she orchestrated the murder of her 21-year-old boyfriend, Ricky Cowles Jr., who was the father of her unborn child.
The crime took place on August 12, 1997, in their shared apartment in Lancaster, California. Ricky Cowles Jr. was brutally attacked, beaten with a claw hammer, and then shot. While he was alive when discovered, he died from his injuries two days later.
For years, Amy denied any involvement. The man she recruited, William “Billy” Hoffman, was convicted of the murder in 1999 and sentenced to life in prison. It wasn’t until Hoffman confessed his role and implicated Amy in a 2002 letter that the investigation focused squarely on her.
Amy was finally arrested in 2005 and convicted in 2007 for her role as the mastermind. She received a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. Today, Amy Preasmyer is incarcerated at the Central California Women’s Facility in Chowchilla, California. The case gained widespread public attention, largely due to its feature on true crime television shows that detailed the shocking betrayal. We also have an article about Leanne Morgan’s Daughter if you are interested.
Amy Preasmyer Daughter Now: An Overview
Kayleigh’s life began in the shadow of an immense tragedy, but her story is one of resilience, thanks to a family that refused to let the past define her future.
Birth and Early Life
Kayleigh was born in early 1998, just months after her father, Ricky Cowles Jr., was murdered. For the first several years of her life, she was raised solely by her mother, Amy, who had not yet been arrested for the crime.
Everything changed in 2005 when Amy was arrested. This event triggered a custody battle, but what emerged was a remarkable display of unity. The court granted shared custody to both sets of her grandparents (Amy’s parents and Ricky’s parents) as well as Ricky’s sister. This collaborative effort ensured Kayleigh was surrounded by love and support from all sides of her family.
Relationship with Her Parents
Kayleigh has no relationship with her biological parents. Her father, Ricky Cowles Jr., was murdered before she was born. Her mother, Amy Preasmyer, has been incarcerated since 2005, and they have reportedly had no contact since the arrest.
The other central figure in the crime, William “Billy” Hoffman, was the man who physically carried out the murder at Amy’s request. He had no parental relationship with Kayleigh. Raised by her grandparents and aunt, she grew up completely removed from the influence of the two people responsible for her father’s death.
Current Situation of Amy Preasmyer’s Daughter
Today, Kayleigh is an adult building her own life far from the public eye. Now approximately 27 years old, she continues to live a private life in California.
Custody Details
The joint custody arrangement was the cornerstone of Kayleigh’s stable upbringing. After her mother’s arrest, both the Preasmyer and Cowles families chose to put their granddaughter’s needs first, setting aside any potential conflict.
This united front, which included all four grandparents and her paternal aunt, provided a protective and loving environment. It allowed Kayleigh to maintain connections with both sides of her family, a rare and positive outcome in such a tragic situation. You may also find the Carlie Malm Obituary an interesting read.
Current Residence
Kayleigh continues to reside in California, where she lives with her grandparents. This stable home life has given her the privacy and peace needed to move forward.
By all accounts, she has focused on her own personal growth and happiness, supported by the family members who have cared for her since she was a child.
Amy Preasmyer’s Relationship with Her Daughter Today
There is no indication that Amy Preasmyer and her daughter have reconnected. The separation that began with Amy’s arrest in 2005 appears to be permanent. They have reportedly not had any contact in nearly two decades.
Living with her grandparents and aunt in California, Kayleigh has built a life entirely separate from her mother. While incarcerated, Amy has become a contributing writer for platforms like *Prison Writers* and has written about her experiences in administrative segregation for publications such as the *San Francisco Bay View*. However, this part of her life remains disconnected from the world her daughter now inhabits.
Takeaways
The story of Amy Preasmyer’s daughter now is, thankfully, one of peace and stability. Kayleigh has successfully built a private life in California, defined not by her mother’s crime but by the unwavering love and support of her extended family.
Her journey demonstrates incredible resilience. It shows how a family’s united effort can create a positive future for a child, even in the wake of an unimaginable tragedy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who was Kayleigh Preasmyer’s father?
Her father was Ricky Cowles Jr. He was murdered in 1997 at the age of 21, before Kayleigh was born.
2. Where is Amy Preasmyer now?
Amy Preasmyer is serving a life sentence without parole at the Central California Women’s Facility in Chowchilla, California.
3. Who was the man who killed Ricky Cowles Jr.?
The man who committed the murder was William “Billy” Hoffman. He was hired by Amy Preasmyer to kill her boyfriend.
4. How old is Amy Preasmyer’s daughter now?
Born in early 1998, Kayleigh is approximately 27 years old as of 2025.
