How is That my Problem? The Murder of Tristyn Bailey

When police told 14-year-old Aiden Fucci his 14-year-old classmate and friend, Tristyn Bailey, had been stabbed to death, he snarkily asked, “How’s that my problem?”

Tristyn Bailey Found Deceased

On May 9, 2021, the body of 13-year-old cheerleader Tristyn Bailey was found in a wooded area near her Jacksonville, Florida, home hours after she was reported missing by her parents. She had been stabbed 114 times. An autopsy later revealed she sustained 49 defensive wounds on her hands and arms. Tristyn fought for her life until the end.

The word “KARMA” had been scrawled on her ankle. On the other ankle was a smiley face. Police aren’t sure who drew them. The blade of a knife was found lodged in her head. The handle of the knife was recovered in a pond nearby her body.

Police discovered surveillance footage showing Bailey with a group of other teens on the day of the murder. Aiden Fucci was among those in the group. The 13-year-old enjoyed drawing graphic pictures depicting human mutilations and often stated that he heard voices telling him to kill someone. He also told friends he planned to stab someone in the woods within the next month.

Fucci and Bailey attended school together. He told police he and Bailey hung out at his house all day. Then, the two walked to a wooded area for “alone time.” Surveillance footage shows Fucci and Bailey walking into the woods and some time later, Fucci walking out alone.

This is What I Need to do to Get Famous?

Police visited Fucci’s home and took him to the station for questioning. Once inside the police car, Fucci and his friend began taking Snapchat videos and seemed to be enjoying themselves.

"We're having fun, in a f****** cop car," Fucci says in the video.

Each teen mentions the name "Tristyn," with Fucci saying, "Tristyn if you f****** walk out the damn" and the friend suggested she would "see this in a month."

In a second Snapchat video, Fucci jokes, “This is what I have to do to get famous?” He then says, "They've got us in a f****** cop car .... tripping dude," the video then cuts out.

Mother Attempts to Hide Evidence

Once police left with Fucci, his mother, 35-year-old Crystal Smith, retrieved blood-stained jeans from his room and attempted to remove blood from them, an incident also captured on surveillance. She was charged with tampering with evidence.

Police recovered a myriad of items from Fucci’s room, including a buck knife and several small knives and blood-stained shoes, DNA later confirmed the blood on these items belonged to Tristyn Bailey. They also found Satanic images in his bedroom.

How’s That My Problem?

At the police station, investigators informed Fucci of the murder of his classmate. He replied, “How’s that my problem”? He denied involvement with the murder, telling detectives that he got mad at Tristyn when she attempted to “grab my penis” and pushed her to the ground. He then said he left her lying on the ground and returned home.

Fucci Charged With Murder

Fucci was originally charged with second-degree murder but the charges were later upgraded to first-degree murder. Fucci is being charged as an adult. If he is found guilty, he faces life in prison with the possibility of parole.

My condolences to the Bailey family. Rest in peace, Tristyn.

Resources & More Information:

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/teen-accused-stabbing-girl-114-times-allegedly-asked-how-her-n1274162

https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/06/us/tristyn-bailey-suspect-mother-charged-tampering/index.html

https://people.com/crime/tristyn-bailey-killing-disturbing-new-details-revealed/