“Killing Time”: Dateline Reports on Ricky Cowles Jr. Homicide June 6 2025

This Friday, June 6, 2025, at 9:00 PM ET, Dateline NBC airs a harrowing new episode titled “Killing Time,” an in-depth look into the 1997 murder of 21-year-old electrician Ricky Cowles Jr. The episode follows the dramatic investigation sparked by a 911 call from his pregnant girlfriend, Amy Preasmyer, and her roommates. What initially appeared to be a violent home invasion spiraled into a deeply layered case involving betrayal, manipulation, and calculated murder.

In this episode, Dateline correspondent Keith Morrison interviews key figures in the case, including the convicted killer William Hoffman, who shares his personal account of the crime that shocked a Lancaster, California, community. Through exclusive access and years of reporting, Dateline reconstructs the events leading up to Cowles’ death and the slow path toward justice.

The Murder of Ricky Cowles Jr.

On the night of August 12, 1997, Ricky Cowles Jr. returned to the Gadsden Avenue apartment he shared with Amy Preasmyer and their roommate, Jennifer Kellogg. Just weeks earlier, Cowles had moved in with Preasmyer, who was 15 weeks pregnant with his child. That night, Cowles had been working late fixing lights at the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds. When he stepped inside his apartment, an assailant was already waiting.

Cowles was ambushed in the bedroom, struck with a claw hammer, and then shot in the head. His body was discovered shortly afterward by Preasmyer and Kellogg, who frantically called 911. Nothing in the apartment had been stolen, and there were no signs of forced entry. The calculated nature of the killing immediately raised suspicions among investigators.

Early Investigation and Dead Ends

Initially, investigators struggled to find a motive. Cowles was known as a hardworking, mild-mannered young man with no known enemies. The killer, William Hoffman, a former store clerk, had no personal connection to Cowles, which puzzled authorities. During his 1999 trial, Hoffman denied involvement and shifted blame to another man, leading to further confusion and delays in justice.

Despite these challenges, witnesses at the time testified that Hoffman claimed he killed Cowles for Cowles’ girlfriend. However, Amy Preasmyer denied any involvement. Without concrete evidence tying her to the murder, prosecutors could not bring charges against her or her roommates.

A Break in the Case: Hoffman’s Confession

The case remained cold until 2002 when Hoffman, already serving a life sentence for Cowles’ murder, had a change of heart. He wrote a letter to Cowles’ family, confessing to the murder and revealing critical details. According to Deputy District Attorney Michael Blake, Hoffman had become a Christian and felt remorse for his actions. His conscience compelled him to come forward with the truth.

Hoffman admitted that he was recruited to kill Cowles by Amy Preasmyer. He detailed how Preasmyer and Kellogg had helped him plan the attack, including studying Cowles’ daily routines and suggesting ways to carry out the killing. Preasmyer allegedly blamed Cowles for her pregnancy and believed he had ruined her life. Hoffman’s confession reopened the case and led to new charges.

Trials and Convictions

In 2005, prosecutors filed charges against Amy Preasmyer, Jennifer Kellogg, and David Ashbury. All three were accused of playing roles in the conspiracy that led to Cowles’ death. Prosecutors alleged that Preasmyer had solicited Hoffman to commit the murder and conspired with Kellogg to facilitate it.

In 2007, a Los Angeles Superior Court jury found Preasmyer guilty of murder with special circumstances, including lying in wait, conspiracy, and solicitation of murder. She was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Hoffman’s testimony was central to her conviction.

Jennifer Kellogg’s trial was delayed and remained pending at the time. David Ashbury, who had helped facilitate Hoffman’s involvement, was convicted of being an accessory to the murder and sentenced to two years in prison.

Life Behind Bars: Amy Preasmyer Speaks Out

Now more than 25 years after Cowles’ death, Amy Preasmyer remains incarcerated at the Central California Women’s Facility. In a piece written for Prison Writers, Preasmyer has shared her experience in solitary confinement and her views on the prison system. She acknowledged a drug possession violation but continues to challenge how she is treated behind bars. While she did not explicitly confess in the piece, she alluded to speaking more openly in the future about her role in the crime.

Her writings suggest a woman grappling with her incarceration and the realities of prison life. She criticizes the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), accusing it of inhumane practices and systemic failures. Her words offer a glimpse into the psyche of someone who once orchestrated a murder and now spends her life in reflection, confinement, and protest.

Legacy and Continued Impact

The murder of Ricky Cowles Jr. remains a sobering reminder of how manipulation and resentment can escalate into deadly violence. For Cowles’ family, justice came after years of uncertainty and conflicting testimonies. For Preasmyer, a life sentence without parole ensures she will never return to the outside world, despite her efforts to influence public perception from prison.

Dateline NBC’s “Killing Time” revisits this complex case with new insights and never-before-heard interviews, providing viewers with a complete picture of a crime that stunned a community and continues to echo decades later. The episode underscores the enduring effects of violence and the long road to accountability.