Nathan Hofkamp was 29 when he was killed on April 14, 2017, in Channahon, Illinois, just hours after being released from the Vienna Correctional Center. He had been at a small parole celebration at the home of his mother’s boyfriend, James Hess, in Minooka. Hess then shot Hofkamp in the chest; Hofkamp was pronounced dead at Presence St. Joseph Medical Center in Joliet.

James Hess, 67, was initially charged with first-degree murder and later pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of second-degree murder. At sentencing Hess expressed remorse and accepted responsibility. The court records describe that Hess had financially supported Hofkamp while he was incarcerated by paying for phone calls and his commissary account. Under Illinois sentencing guidelines for that conviction, Hess received 48 months probation rather than prison.

Are there details about the incident or the relationship between Hofkamp and Hess that anyone can share to clarify what happened that night?