Florida Boy Accused of Stabbing 13-Year-Old Tristyn Bailey 114 Times, Now Charged as Adult With First-Degree Murder
A 14-year-old Florida boy is now being charged as an adult with premeditated first-degree murder in connection to the death of 13-year-old girl Tristyn Bailey who was found dead with 114 stab wounds in early May.
Just hours after the family of Bailey reported to authorities she was missing on May 9, her body was found in a wooded area in the community of Durbin Crossing. The area is about 20 miles south of Jacksonville.
Aiden Fucci Faces Premeditated Murder Charge
According to Fox News, Florida State Attorney R.J. Larizza said Thursday that Tristyn Bailey was found with 114 stab wounds. He said that the tip of the folding buck knife, which is the murder weapon, was found in the victim's scalp. Larizza said the knife was believed to belong to the 14-year-old Florida boy.
Larizza identified the suspect as Aiden Fucci, 14, who was arrested and charged with second-degree murder on May 10. But the charge has been upgraded to first-degree murder after the investigation.
The State Attorney noted that Tristyn Bailey's DNA was found on a t-shirt and shoes located in Aiden Fucci's bedroom.
Before the death of Bailey, Larizza said that the Florida boy shared with a number of individuals that he intended to kill someone.
Larizza said Aiden Fucci did not mention who would be his victim, but he indicated to witnesses that he would kill someone by taking them into the woods and stab the victim there.
The State Attorney noted that the statements by the defendant to his friends made it clear that he was considering a homicide. Larizza also mentioned that it is disturbing and concerning that those statements were not taken seriously by the folks that heard them.
Larizza also said that the suspect does not have any criminal history, but if convicted, Aiden Fucci faces life in prison but would be eligible for a review at 25 years old because of his age. A grand jury released the indictment Thursday in St. John's County court that the suspect will be tried as an adult, News4Jax reported.
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Tristyn Bailey's Death
Larizza noted that at least 49 of the total 114 stab wounds acquired by Tristyn Bailey were stab wounds to the hands, forearms, and head. He added that the stab wounds in those body parts were defensive in nature. He also claimed that the crime was premeditated, WPSD reported.
The State Attorney asked the community to support the 13-year-old girl's family in their grief. Larizza wants the folks in their area to know that the family needs their help.
He added that the family of the Bailey needs any support that they can get. But he noted that if people cannot give any support, staying in silence can also help in the family's recovery.
Larizza also reminded the public that they should not be using social media as a platform to exploit this terrible and horrific crime because they are still prosecuting it.
Both Bailey and the suspect grew up in the same neighborhood and attended the same school, Patriot Oaks Academy. Bailey was a cheerleader in their school.
Meanwhile, authorities continue to investigate the suspect's real motive since it is still unclear.
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WATCH: Accused Killer of Tristyn Bailey Now Facing Adult, 1st-Degree Murder Charges - From First Coast News