16-year-old Aiden Fucci gets life for fatally stabbing 13-year-old classmate over 100 times

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. (TCD) -- Aiden Fucci, 16, will spend the rest of his life behind bars for stabbing 13-year-old Tristyn Bailey 114 times in the woods, killing her.

Fucci pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in early February, and according to court records, he was sentenced on Friday, March 24.

On May 9, 2021, Bailey was last seen around midnight, and her family became worried when she didn't show up for a Mother's Day breakfast, so they reported her missing to the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office. Later that day, at approximately 6 p.m., Bailey was found stabbed to death at the end of a retention pond.

Bailey reportedly suffered "significant injury to her head and other trauma," and she had several defensive wounds.

On the night Bailey went missing, Fucci, who was 14 years old at the time, admitted to being with her at a friend's house, and they were seen on surveillance camera footage walking on North Durbin Parkway.

Fucci and the victim got into an argument, and he "forcefully pushed" her to the ground, "striking her head" before fatally stabbing her.

In a handwritten note to the court obtained by WTLV-TV, Fucci wrote, "I'm sorry for all of the pain I caused to the Baily [sic] family. I [am] sorry to the Friends, Brothers, Sisters, Mom, Dad and any other Family relative. I'm sorry that you didn't get to know her that long. You did not have any long relationships with Tristen and for that i'm sorry."

His note continued, "For the Community I'm sorry i brought all this pain on everyday and I'm sorry and I know my apawlogy [sic] will not fix anything or bring her back but i hop [sic] it help in some way."

Fucci also apologized to his family in the letter.

Before handing down his sentence, the judge said Bailey "suffered a painful, horrifying death from someone she trusted," WLTV reports.

According to NBC News, Tristyn's dad spoke at the sentencing, saying, "Tristyn, I wanted to let you know we are so extremely proud of the person that you were in your time time here. We have seen that when you went out into the world, you gave it your very best. You should be proud of the friend that you were, the teammate that you were, and what you left behind and the people that knew you that we trust will go forward and continue to make the world a better place."

Her father also said Fucci's family "should be given grace for the pain they're going through. They should not be given additional hardship."

Fucci was facing a minimum sentence of 40 years, and because he is a minor, his life sentence will be eligible for review after 25 years.

In addition to Fucci's arrest, his mother, Crystal Smith, stands accused of tampering with evidence after allegedly washing her son's bloody clothing. She was arrested in June 2021.

MORE:

• State of Florida vs. Aiden Fucci
• Aiden Fucci pleads guilty to fatally stabbing 13-year-old classmate Tristyn Bailey over 100 times, 2/6/2023 - TCD
• 'Mom now i miss your lemon peper chicken' : Aiden Fucci pens apology letter to judge, Tristyn Bailey's family, his parents, community - WTLV
• Aiden Fucci sentenced to life in prison for the murder of 13-year-old Tristyn Bailey - WTLV
• Teen sentenced to life in prison for fatally stabbing Florida cheerleader 114 times - NBC News