A 16-year-old Florida girl was tragically killed just two weeks after her birthday, allegedly by her estranged ex-boyfriend.
The body of Abbriella Elliott was discovered by a hiker on the morning of March 27, along a trail approximately 50 to 100 feet inside the Cypress Lakes Preserve Trailhead in Hernando County, according to The Hernando Sun.
Hernando County Sheriff Al Nienhuis confirmed in a press briefing that Elliott had left her home around 1 a.m. that morning to meet someone — believed to be the suspect — and never returned.
“We could tell pretty quickly there was a lot of passion and a lot of violence involved in the death,” Nienhuis said. “This was nothing short of brutal.”
Authorities believe Elliott was killed with an edged weapon. The following day, March 28, 16-year-old Cameron Cubel was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in connection to her death, according to Fox 13 Tampa Bay.
While officials have not formally confirmed the nature of their relationship, Elliott’s parents told 10 Tampa Bay that Cubel was their daughter’s ex-boyfriend and that the two had ended their relationship about six months earlier.
Sheriff Nienhuis noted that the suspect had a previous battery charge, but declined to elaborate further on their past interactions.
Elliott’s mother, Danyel Caltagirone, remembered her daughter as a joyful and vibrant teen in a GoFundMe campaign created to help cover funeral costs.
“Abby was always smiling, singing, and being silly,” her mother wrote. “Her spirit shone so brightly, and she had an incredible ability to make others feel loved. Her laughter filled every room.”
An obituary echoed those sentiments, describing Abbriella as someone who left a lasting impact on everyone she met.
At a prayer vigil held on March 30, Elliott’s stepfather, Leo Lind, expressed his appreciation for the outpouring of love and support from the community.
“She would’ve been so happy to see all the people who came out for her,” he said. “Her smile, her energy — she just lit up the room.”
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have not released further details at this time.
