A horrific scene unfolded in Polk Country Florida as a mother killed both her children before taking her own in what police are calling “what appears to be a double murder-suicide.” The mother took the lives of a ten-year-old son and a nineteen-year-old daughter.
According to the press release shared on the Polk County Police Department’s Facebook page, Brandi Hitchins allegedly shot and killed both her ten-year-old son, Aiden, and nineteen-year-old daughter after losing a custody battle for her son.
The father of the son had made the trip from Maine to Florida to appear in court to get Hutchins to turn over custody of the boy, which she had not done by the court-set deadline. The father of the boy posted a gut-wrenching goodbye to his son on Facebook.
The post says, “It is with a heavy heart that I am writing this to give everyone an update about my son Aiden Hutchins who was missing and taken by his mother on August 25 2023 who decided to murder him.. he was killed by her today  August 27 2023.. he will forever be in my heart and did not deserve this. Rest in peace my sweet boy I will see you again. I love you.”
At the press conference, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd explained that there was no evidence to point to any need for concern that Hutchins may turn to violence against anyone, especially her children. He said that it appears that the mover “murdered her 10-year-old child and her 19-year-old child — murdered them and then subsequent to that, she shot herself.”
He continued, saying, “There was no indication that there should be any violence.” The Sheriff also shared his condolences with the families who lost loved ones due to this tragedy, saying, “I can’t imagine a more horrific set of circumstances.”
Sherriff Judd went on to give a brief summary of the horrific events while offering his condolences to the family. “My heart breaks for all of the family. We’re devastated for this beautiful 10-year-old child… all because Mom did not want to turn the child over to the rightful father pursuant to a court order.”
The events surrounding this case seem to be mostly open and shut in the eyes of law enforcement, who are not shying away from saying what they think happened. The evil actions of one mother took away a chance at a long life for her two children.
Let this be a reminder to hold your loved ones close today and to remind them that you love them. True love is not something to be taken for granted, and this case proves that it is not something that every family shares in common.
The featured image is a screenshot from a press conference on the Polk County Police Department’s Facebook page.
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