Tristyn Bailey’s family open up about ‘driving evil out’ a year after she was ‘stabbed 114 times by Aiden Fucci’
NEARLY one year after their daughter’s body was found dumped in a wooded area with multiple stab wounds, Tristyn Bailey’s family has spoken out about her passing.
The 13-year-old cheerleader's body was found on May 9 2021, with her autopsy showing that she was stabbed a total of 114 times.
Aiden Fucci, now 15, one of Tristyn’s classmates at Patriot Oaks Academy has been charged with her murder and his trial is expected to start in the fall.
However, Tristyn's family wants to shift the focus to the “carefree” and “larger-than-life” person their daughter was and to celebrate her continued inspiration.
The teen is survived by her parents and four siblings, who along with Tristyn called themselves “The Bailey 7” and still continue to do so.
“As a family, we continue to be devastated and overcome with grief at the loss of Tristyn. With time we are learning to deal with carrying this loss forward.
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"We draw our greatest strength from our love of Tristyn and seek to honor her memory in line with her spirit,” the family wrote in a statement ahead of the one-year anniversary of Tristyn’s passing.
“Our Saint Johns and Jacksonville community, her teammates, and classmates are simply incredible in the acts of kindness and encouragement for one another. It is in the day-to-day memories and expressions of love that we best carry Tristyn forward.”
The family added that they will continue to spread Tristyn’s legacy by working with a youth mental health program, a community-focused gym that supports defense classes and a scholarship program.
An award named after Tristyn will also be gifted to multiple sports teams in the area.
“Going beyond our local community, we have seen how Tristyn’s spirit, memory, and kindness have grown around the world, from countless aqua bows tied up in her memory to painted rocks carried and hidden around the world to share her legacy.
“As we take today to reflect upon Tristyn’s memory and the light her passing has inspired, we encourage everyone to find a moment each day to feed the good wolf. Through acts of kindness and love as a community, we can drive out evil together.”
Teen suspect
Fucci, who was 14 when Tristyn was killed, will be tried as an adult.
Fucci had previously been charged with first-degree murder St. Johns County Courthouse. He's expected to head to trial in November.
The decision to charge Aiden Fucci with first-degree murder came from a grand jury, which met in secret on Thursday, May 27, 2021, morning.
First-degree murder charges automatically move the case to adult court.
The teen is the only suspect in the murder of his classmate.
Aiden and Tristyn both attended Patriot Oaks Academy in St. Johns, .
A photograph that was circulating on social media following Tristyn's death appeared to have been posted on Fucci's account showing him in the back of a cop car, holding up a peace sign with the caption "hey guys has inybody [sic] seen Tristyn lately".
Police confirmed the image was being reviewed as potential evidence in the case.
In August, video showed Fucci walking with Tristyn on the night that she was killed.
Another shocking video released by the State Attorney's Office on Tuesday shows what investigators allege is Fucci's mother, Crystal Smith, washing blood off of her son's jeans.
She allegedly washed the pants while her son was being interviewed by deputies.
After the jeans and a drain in his home tested positive for blood, Smith was charged with evidence tampering in connection with Bailey's death.
Fucci's mom arrested
Fucci's mom was later arrested for allegedly tampering with evidence.
The State Attorney's Office shared images of what investigators allege was Crystal Smith washing blood off her son's jeans.
After the jeans and a drain in his home tested positive for blood, Smith was charged with evidence tampering in connection with Bailey's death.
State Attorney R.J. Larizza said: "Tampering with evidence is tampering with justice and cannot be excused or tolerated,"
Victim 'found with KARMA on ankle'
Cheerleader Tristyn's body was found with "Karma" written on her ankle, according to a report released in July.
The word was written in blue ink on her left ankle while a smiley face was drawn on the inside of her right ankle.
It is not known who is responsible for the drawings.
Tristyn's body was found in a wood near a lake by her Florida home after surveillance footage appeared to show her walking there with Fucci on the night of May 9.
Sick claims
Prosecutors say Fucci told friends he wanted to "take someone into the woods and stab them."
State Attorney Larizza alleged that Fucci made comments to "several people" that he "intended to kill someone."
"He didn't say who that was but he indicated that he was going to kill someone by taking them into the woods and stabbing them which are certainly the facts of this case," Larizza continued.
Documents allegedly revealed interviews with Fucci's friends in which they discuss his comments about wanting to stab someone.
One friend told cops that a month before Tristyn's death, Fucci had talked about bringing someone into the woods and stabbing them, according to the .
The friend said Fucci "would take his knife out and pretend to stab her with it."
"Aiden would draw graphic pictures depicting mutilated bodies," she said.
"I just want to talk to my mom and dad. What's going on?" Fucci says in a video of the stream posted to social media.
"What's going on?" he repeats twice again.
"I won't let you demons take my soul, demons take my soul away," he says in another clip as his eyes dart around the room.
Fucci, who is being tried as an adult, has pleaded not guilty.
His mother was released after posting a $25,000 bond.
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