TRIGGER WARNING: This post contains information about suicide, which may be triggering to some.
Police in Florida have identified the shooter in an apparent murder-suicide in Lake Wales. Brandy Hutchins, 43, is accused of shooting her 10-year-old son, Aiden, and her unidentified 19-year-old daughter, then turning the gun on herself. A custody dispute with her ex-husband reportedly prompted the tragic killing.
Brandy Hutchins allegedly refused to turn Aiden over to his father, Nick Hutchins, after he traveled from Maine to Florida to retrieve the boy. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd addressed the media on Sunday. He said Brandy and Nick Hutchins appeared in court Thursday and a judge directed her to turn over Aiden to his father at the sheriff's office by 6 p.m. Friday, but the mother and son never showed up.
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There was reportedly no threat of violence from Brandy Hutchins.
The sheriff explained during the media conference that there was no evidence in court that the mother had any intention of harming herself or Aiden. When she did not appear at the sheriff's office by Friday evening as instructed, deputies began an exhaustive search of the area to locate the missing mother and son.
"Our detectives did something that normally does not occur," Judd said. "Our detectives worked through the weekend to try to find this 10-year-old little boy, so we could turn him over, according to the court order, to his father."
Investigators tried multiple methods find Aiden.
Judd said his department pinged phones, searched for the child, and used friends to spread the word on social media. The sheriff's office received a call on Sunday with a tip about Brandy Hutchins’ potential whereabouts.
During the news conference, Judd said his office arrived at a home around 12:30 p.m. Sunday. The tipster reportedly told the sheriff's department that Brandy Hutchins was inside a mobile home with her daughter and son.
Judd said his department believes the scene was a murder-suicide.
He explained that the investigation concluded that Brandy Hutchins "has murdered her 10-year-old child and her 19-year-old child – murdered them. And then subsequent to that, she shot herself."
The sheriff said he was heartbroken and devastated by the events and claimed the tragic situation occurred because the mother did not want to turn their son over to his father.
Brandy Hutchins had no criminal history.
Judd said during the news conference that the case was interesting because the mother had no criminal record. He reaffirmed there was no indication she would be violent, but the crime was, in fact, horrifically violent. "This was a domestic event, a court-ordered event where she had to turn custody over to the ex-husband. And she wasn't going to do that," he said.
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The grieving father wrote about his son on his Facebook page.
"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," the father wrote.
Friends filled the comment section with love for the heartbroken family.
"I'm so sorry to hear this sad news. My heart is broken," a friend shared. "I can't even imagine the pain that you feel. May God put his arms around you and your family. Will be praying for you."
"My deepest condolences to you. I can't imagine the pain you feel but you have an army of support behind you," another friend wrote.
"I am so sorry for your loss , this absolutely breaks my heart . Sending my condolences to you and your family nick," another comment reads.
Judd said the investigation is ongoing and authorities will release any prevalent information.
Note: If you or any of your loved ones are struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can always reach out to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling 988. They are available 24/7 by phone or online chat.
