How the Case of Alyssa Bustamante Would Have Been Prevented

The life sentence for teen murderer Alyssa Bustamante, 18, has been recently released by the Cole County Circuit Court in Jefferson City, Missouri. Bustamante, who was dubbed as the “thrill killer” was finally sentenced after pleading guilty for the second-degree murder of the 9-year old victim, Elizabeth Olten, in October 2009. The penalized teenager was just 15 years old then, and the brutal deed she committed was far from expected.

Police reports revealed that the death of the victim was caused by strangulation, repeated stabs in the chest, and by a slice in her throat. Her body was buried in a shallow grave in the woods near their neighborhood, covered with a blanket of leaves. Who would have thought that a female teenager can devise and commit that heinous crime? There was not even a clear motive for the teen to do so apart from the “thrilling feeling” she said she was looking for.

Besides Bustamante’s admittance of the murder, her journal entry at the day of Olten’s death also served as a concrete evidence against her. In the diary account, she described how “ahmazing” it felt to kill somebody and that although she felt kind of nervous and shaky, she still find the whole experience “pretty enjoyable.” With all these elements present, one can say that the teen murderer is truly a troubled girl.

People cannot help putting all the blame to Bustamante. However, that can actually be slightly unfair for her. To a certain extent, the teen can also emerge as a victim in this situation. Prior to the killing, Bustamante was a normal loud teenager who goes to school and interact, but she has some down moments that are most probably caused by her broken family and dismal parents. She would have been helped, too, if only she was taken to a therapeutic school where a sturdy support system can be provided for her.

Therapeutic schools would have immediately addressed Bustamante’s psychological concerns especially when she tried to commit suicide several times. Her frustrations about her life, parents, and family would have been dealt with properly as well. Above all, her youthful energy would have been channeled into positive and productive activities instead of violent and brutal ones.

Another remarkable finding in the Bustamante case is her use of the anti-depressant Prozac which, according to medical experts, probably made her prone to violence. If only she was submitted to a reputable troubled youth boarding school by her guardians, this medication aspect would have also been handled properly. The depression she felt for years would have been erased by constant interaction with friendly people, and she would have never been curious of the feeling of taking someone’s life. 

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