Alyssa Bustamante: A Story of Complexity and Tragedy
Alyssa Bustamante was born on January 28, 1994, in California, United States. At a young age, she moved to Missouri, where her life would take a turn that fascinated and shocked many. Alyssa was described as an introspective and isolated teenager, who expressed her emotions through art and drawings. With a style combining gothic and scene girl elements, she stood out with her short, straight, light brown hair, piercing blue eyes, a height of 5'5" (1.65m), and a weight of around 110 pounds (50kg).
She endured a troubled childhood. Her parents, Michelle and Ceaser Bustamante, were only teenagers when she was born — her mother was just 15. As a result, Alyssa and her siblings faced neglect and significant family issues. Eventually, in 2002, she and her siblings were adopted by their grandparents, Karen and Gary Brooke. Despite this change, the trauma of her early years left deep emotional and psychological scars.
From an early age, Alyssa showed an interest in dark themes and creative forms of expression. She loved Harry Potter, melancholic music, poetry, writing, and playing guitar. She also enjoyed reading dark fiction, which seemed to mirror her worldview and emotions. Despite her sensitive and creative personality, Alyssa displayed conflicting behaviors. While she was described by those close to her as sweet, kind, and good at social interactions, her online presence revealed a darker and more aggressive side.
At 15, Alyssa was battling significant inner turmoil. She suffered from anxiety and depression and was prescribed Prozac, which helped at times but didn't fully resolve her feelings of being "stuck in a hole she couldn't escape." In 2007, her mental health deteriorated further, leading to a 10-day stay at St. Martins and the development of a self-destructive habit: self-harm. She accumulated over 300 cuts and scars on her body, often sharing images of her wounds with friends. In her room, a poem written in blue ink and highlighted with red pen revealed her troubling relationship with self-harm:
"I cut to focus when my mind is racing. I cut to make physical what I feel inside. I cut to see blood because I like it. I don't like cutting, but I can't stop."
In October 2009, this inner turmoil culminated in a tragic event. On October 21, Alyssa murdered Elizabeth Olten, a 9-year-old neighbor. Elizabeth was described as a happy, sweet child — a typical "girly girl" who loved all things pink and cherished time with her family. That day, Elizabeth was lured into the woods near Alyssa's home, where Alyssa had dug a grave days earlier. There, Alyssa strangled and stabbed Elizabeth to death before burying her.
Alyssa later confessed to the crime, stating that she did it simply "to see what it would feel like to kill someone." During her trial, she was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 30 years, plus an additional 30 years. She is currently serving her sentence while participating in education and rehabilitation programs in prison, awaiting the possibility of a retrial in 2024 for a reconsideration of her sentence.
The story of Alyssa Bustamante serves as a grim reminder of how untreated trauma, neglect, and mental health struggles can lead to devastating outcomes. More than a monster, Alyssa was also a child in need of help — help she tragically didn't receive in time.