Arrest made in 2018 death of Kaiden Estling


Kelli Jo Michael

FAYETTE COUNTY, Iowa (KWWL) — Nearly 2 years to the day that a teen was killed while driving his moped south of Fayette, the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office announced an arrest in the case.

The sheriff’s office arrested and charged Kelli Jo Michael, 26, of Des Moines on Friday in the death of Kaiden Estling. Michael is charged with homicide by vehicle-reckless driving, and leaving the scene of an accident – death.

Estling, 14, of Maynard was driving a moped south along Highway 150 on June 28, 2018 when he was hit by a vehicle. It happened about 2 1/2 miles south of Fayette.

The driver of the vehicle fled the scene and, after multiple life-saving attempts, Estling was pronounced dead at the scene. Michael is being held in the Fayette County Jail on a $50,000.00 cash only bond.

Over the past two years, Estling’s mom, April, has worked to keep the word out about her son’s death, searching for the person who did it. She wrote on her Facebook page Friday after the news of an arrest:

“This has been the longest, hardest 2 years of my life. And I can officially announce that #justiceforKaiden has arrived!! I ask that you respect Kaiden Estling family and friends and give us the privacy and respect that we all deserve!! Thank you Fayette County and everyone else who helped solve this case and give my son the justice he deserves.”

The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Des Moines Police Department in the investigation.


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