ST. JOHNS, Fla. – Tristyn Bailey’s family will again mark the day of her death with a community gathering Tuesday night in St. Johns -- but this year they will do it knowing her killer has been sentenced to life in prison.
The murder of the 13-year-old competitive cheerleader rocked the entire St. Johns County community, and many have continued to mourn with her family as they sought justice against her killer, Aiden Fucci.
Tristyn was killed on Mother’s Day 2021 after going on a middle-of-the-night walk with then-14-year-old Fucci, her schoolmate.
Earlier this year, Fucci, now 16, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and admitted to brutally stabbing Tristyn more than 100 times in the woods in the Durbin Crossing neighborhood.
“There were so many warning signs that were definitely ignored in this situation,” Tristyn’s mother, Stacy Bailey, said.
Fucci was sentenced to life in prison in March. His mother, Crystal Smith, is still awaiting trial on a charge of tampering with evidence in the case. She’s accused of washing blood out of her son’s jeans after he killed Tristyn.
Smith had a hearing in court Tuesday -- the same day Tristyn’s parents will be honoring the memory of their youngest child with a memorial at Veterans Park. Before that memorial, Tristyn’s family was again in the court gallery, wearing aqua -- the color that has become the symbol of their fight for justice and their desire to carry on Tristyn’s memory.
Forrest and Stacy Bailey told us in their first interview a month ago that their focus -- and they hope everyone’s focus -- is not on how Tristyn died but on how she lived, and how they will carry on her legacy.
“The process has been very challenging to go through going with the legal proceedings and now also as we transition and start doing more about the fanbase and legacy, but we’re still doing a lot with that grief that we have, so we’ve been very thankful of the support,” Forrest Bailey said.
Tristyn was the youngest of five siblings, but she had a big personality -- and her family says an even bigger heart.
“Beautiful, kind, the sassiness was always there, but it was always in fun spirit,” Stacy Bailey said.
“Her smile and that laugh. Her smile, her playfulness, the way she would laugh and have fun with her friends,” Forrest Bailey said.
This is how Tristyn’s parents want her remembered. Not from the news headlines, but from what’s in their hearts.
“Tristyn, I wanted to let you know we are so extremely proud of the person that you were in your time here,” her father, Forrest Bailey, said, reading a message to his late daughter after the family witnessed Fucci’s sentencing.
RELATED: Grim medical examiner testimony, emotional victim impact statements on 1st day of Aiden Fucci sentencing | ‘He is beyond saving’: Tristyn Bailey’s family asks for maximum sentence for killer in emotional hearing | Closing arguments made in Aiden Fucci’s trial; judge to determine whether he gets life | ‘I’m sorry for all the pain I caused’: Aiden Fucci, relatives write letters to judge, Tristyn Bailey’s family | After 2 days of grim, emotional testimony, what’s next in Aiden Fucci sentencing? | Aiden Fucci’s case draws memories of high profile 1998 murder trial that shook Jacksonville community
Despite it all, Tristyn’s family is grateful for the love from the community and they hope to use her name to make a difference with scholarships, safety classes and support for other grieving families.
The Tristyn Bailey Strong Remembrance begins at 6:30 p.m. at Veterans Park, 1332 Veterans Pkwy, St. Johns.
You can donate to the Tristyn Bailey Memorial Foundation her family started in honor of her.
The family is hosting the remembrance gathering “to help inspire smiles as great as her spirit.”
Kona Ice will donate 100 kiddie size treats and 30% of all other Kona Ice purchases will go to the Tristyn Bailey Memorial Foundation.