logo
twitter.com/WJXTvic // instagram.com/infinitycdg
twitter.com/WJXTvic // instagram.com/infinitycdg

Details Surrounding 13-Year-Old Cheerleader Tristyn Bailey's Devastating Death

Lois Oladejo
May 13, 2021
03:10 A.M.

Tristyn Bailey was found dead at the south end of a retention pond in Durbin Crossing on Sunday. The police have arrested a teenage suspect in connection with the alleged "cold-blooded" murder.

Advertisement

The police in St. Johns County, Florida, are looking into the death of a 13-year-old cheerleader from the Patriot Oaks Academy. They believe her death was no accident.

The victim, Tristyn Bailey, turned up dead on Sunday evening, hours after she was declared missing. The St. Johns' County Medical examiner's office determined she died of force trauma by stabbing.

A police officer radioing in a call while wearing a face mask and gloves | Photo: Shutterstock

A police officer radioing in a call while wearing a face mask and gloves | Photo: Shutterstock

The county's sheriff, Robert Hardwick, went public with her cause of death during a statement on Tuesday but failed to disclose how many times the victim was stabbed. However, he described the stabbing as horrific.

During an interview, Hardwick stressed how horrible it was to witness such an incident in the small neighborhood once considered safe. He further stated:

Advertisement

"This is a cold-blooded murder of a 13-year-old young girl who did not deserve to die."

The police have since apprehended one suspect in connection with the crime. The suspect, Aiden Fucci, 14, attended the same school as Bailey.

Shortly after Bailey's disappearance, Fucci allegedly shared a selfie of himself making the peace sign on Snapchat. He accompanied the picture, taken from the back of a patrol vehicle, with a caption asking if anyone had seen Bailey lately.

Advertisement

Officers found some compromising evidence.

Detectives have not determined a motive for the murder. However, the suspect made his first court appearance on Tuesday on charges of second-degree murder.

Fucci remained silent during his court appearance and did not make any plea. Hardwick reassured the public that officers would work tirelessly to uncover more evidence to bring the culprit to book. He explained:

Advertisement

"This case[...]ends when we get everything together and everything is exhausted. We have a long way to go."

While most of the evidence gathered so far came from social media, surveillance footage from different sources has also been helpful. A clip recovered from one of Durbin Crossing's community centers showed Fucci and Bailey strolling together just hours before she went missing.

Another video from a neighbor's surveillance camera showed the pair strolling along Saddlestone Drive at about 1:45 am. About two hours later, the same footage showed only Fucci returning from that direction, without Bailey in sight.

Advertisement

The videos led to a search of the suspect's home, where officers found some compromising evidence, including some pieces of clothing with presumptive traces of blood.

The victim's family has since set up a GoFundMe campaign to assist their efforts to seek justice and organize the teenager's funeral.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Related posts

Madeline Soto Case: Public Outrage Flares after Police Release Unseen Footage

April 11, 2024

Missing Riley Strain Has Been Found Dead after 2 Weeks of Searching

March 22, 2024

Riley Strain’s Devastated Family Orders Second Autopsy, Questioning Initial Finding of No Foul Play

March 28, 2024

I Called My Late Wife’s Number and Surprisingly Someone Picked up the Phone – Story of the Day

March 21, 2024

Riley Strain Disappeared after Going out with Friends on March 8 – His Devastated Mom Speaks Out as Massive Search Continues

March 21, 2024

Woman Receives Message From Her Late Son’s Phone — Story of the Day

May 30, 2024

Tony Bennett's Daughters Reveal Reasons for Legal Action in Inheritance Fight

July 02, 2024

Police Footage from Garrison Brown’s Death Scene Leaked to the Media — Public Is Furious

April 15, 2024

Gypsy Rose Blanchard Spotted for the First Time Since Nose Job: 'Jump Scare'

April 12, 2024

Liam Neeson’s Son Daniel Remembers Mom Natasha Richardson on Her 15th Death Anniversary

March 20, 2024

Priscilla Presley Shows Rare Photo with Her Only Son, 37, Who Looks Like Her ‘Male Version’

April 30, 2024

3 Heart-Stopping Stories about Departed Loved Ones Somehow Turning out to be Alive

April 01, 2024

3 Heartrending Stories of People Vanishing, Where the Truth Was Suddenly Uncovered

April 23, 2024

"Help!": Girl Spots Boy Locked in Car Pleading for Rescue — Story of the Day

March 18, 2024