Tyler Ryan Hirsch is a teen killer from Florida who would murder his neighbor Melody Bennett when he was sixteen years old
According to court documents Tyler Ryan Hirsch would force his way into the home of Melody Bennett who he would attempt to sexually assault before stabbing the woman to death.
The murder which took place in 2018 would not be solved until a year later when Tyler Ryan Hirsch was officially charged with the brutal murder
In 2025, not sure why it took so long for this to go to trial, Tyler Ryan Hirsch would plead guilty to first-degree murder, attempted sexual battery while armed, burglary of a dwelling while armed and three counts of battery on a law enforcement officer. Hirsch would be sentenced to life in prison without parole
Tyler Ryan Hirsch Case
A Florida man has been sentenced to life in prison for the sexual battery and murder of his neighbor when he was only 16 years old, officials say.
What we know:
Tyler Ryan Hirsch, 24, has been sentenced in the murder case of 33-year-old Melody Victoria Bennett. Hirsch was only 16 years old at the time of the crime.
Back in March, Hirsch entered an open plea to the court and was convicted of first-degree murder, attempted sexual battery while armed, burglary of a dwelling while armed and three counts of battery on a law enforcement officer.
Hirsch was sentenced by Judge Mary P. Hatcher to Life in the Florida Department of Corrections.
What they’re saying:
“This was a senseless and horrific act of violence that devastated a family and shocked an entire neighborhood,” Walter Forgie, Fifth Judicial Circuit chief assistant state attorney, said. “We are grateful to the investigators who worked tirelessly on this case and to the judge for today’s life sentence, which ensures that the defendant will never again be in a position to harm another innocent person.”
The backstory:
On Jan. 25, 2018, the day after Bennett’s thirty-third birthday, Sumter County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) deputies responded to calls of a dead person at a home off County Road 625 in Bushnell. When deputies arrived at the home, Bennett’s brother said he came to his sister’s home to check in on her after not hearing from her for a few days. When he entered the home, he found his sister dead inside.
Officials began their investigation into Bennett’s death after determining she died from a homicide. Deputies say she had numerous stab wounds on her body. Investigators determined Bennett had died between the night of Jan. 21 and Jan. 22 due to multiple sharp force injuries.
During their investigation, officials conducted a neighborhood canvas and spoke with then-16-year-old Hirsch. Hirsch said he knew Bennett, as they were neighbors and she was a family friend. Hirsch denied any knowledge of the crime.
However, officials later learned that the day Bennett’s body was located – when there was a large law enforcement presence in the area – Hirsch was picked up by his school bus driver. The driver asked what was going on, and Hirsch allegedly said that a woman was stabbed to death. At that time, law enforcement officials had not released any information about the crime or the manner of death.
Law enforcement later responded to Tyler Ryan Hirsch’s school, where they were able to speak with his teacher. The teacher said that on the morning of Jan. 22, 2018, Hirsch had requested to go to the school nurse to retrieve a band-aid. The teacher said Hirsch had a large gash and other minor cuts on his hand. When asked what happened, Hirsch told his teacher he didn’t want to talk about it and that it was personal.
Law enforcement met with Hirsch’s parents and requested an interview with him. During the interview, Hirsch’s story about his interactions with Bennett changed. Authorities collected a DNA sample from Hirsch to compare to the DNA found at the scene. After months of investigation and a positive DNA match comparison, Hirsch was arrested on Jan. 17, 2019, for the death of Bennett.
Tyler Ryan Hirsch News
Earlier this morning, now 24-year-old Tyler Ryan Hirsch, who was 16 years old at the time of the crime, was sentenced in the murder case of 33-year-old Melody Victoria Bennett. Back in March, Hirsch entered an open plea to the court and was convicted of Murder in the First-degree, Attempted Sexual Battery while Armed, Burglary of a Dwelling while Armed, and three counts of Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer.
Hirsch was sentenced by Judge Mary P. Hatcher to Life in the Florida Department of Corrections.
“This was a senseless and horrific act of violence that devastated a family and shocked an entire neighborhood,” said Fifth Judicial Circuit Chief Assistant State Attorney Walter Forgie. “We are grateful to the investigators who worked tirelessly on this case and to the judge for today’s life sentence, which ensures that the defendant will never again be in a position to harm another innocent person.”
On January 25, 2018, the day after Melody Bennett’s thirty-third birthday, Sumter County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a residence off County Road 625 in Bushnell in reference to a deceased person. Upon arrival, the victim’s brother indicated he came to the victim’s home to check in on her after not hearing from Melody for a few days.
The witness further stated that once he entered the home, he discovered his sister deceased inside. Officials began their investigation into her death, after determining the victim had died from homicidal violence due to numerous stab wounds observed on her body. DNA samples were taken from the victim, as well as various items at the scene. An autopsy of the victim was conducted by the Medical Examiner, and determined that the victim died between the night of the 21st and 22nd due to multiple sharp force injuries.
During their investigation, officials conducted a neighborhood canvas and spoke with then 16-year-old Hirsch. Hirsch stated he knew the victim as they were neighbors and the victim was a family friend. Tyler Ryan Hirsch denied any knowledge of the crime, however, officials later learned that the day the victim’s body was located – when there was a large law enforcement presence in the area – Hirsch was picked up by his school bus driver who asked what was going on, with Hirsch responding that a woman was stabbed to death. At that time, law enforcement officials had not released any information about the crime, nor the manner of death.
Law enforcement later responded to Hirsh’s school, where they were able to speak with the defendant’s teacher. The teacher informed deputies that on the morning of January 22, 2018, Tyler Ryan Hirsch had requested to go to the school nurse to retrieve a band-aid. The defendant had a large laceration and other minor cuts to his hand. When asked what happened, Tyler Ryan Hirsch told his teacher he didn’t want to talk about it and that it was personal.
Law enforcement met with Hirsch’s parents and requested an interview with the juvenile at the sheriff’s office. During this custodial interview, Hirsch’s story about his interactions with the victim changed. Authorities collected a DNA sample from Hirsch to compare to the DNA found at the scene.
After months of investigation and a positive DNA match comparison, Tyler Ryan Hirsch was arrested on January 17, 2019, for the death of Melody Victoria Bennett.
The State Attorney’s Office thanks the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office for its swift and thorough investigation, as well as the many individuals who came forward to assist in this case. Assistant State Attorneys Blake Shore and Richard Buxman prosecuted this case.
Tyler Ryan Hirsch Now
| DC Number: | I72644 |
|---|---|
| Name: | HIRSCH, TYLER R |
| Race: | WHITE |
| Sex: | MALE |
| Birth Date: | 07/08/2001 |
| Initial Receipt Date: | 08/14/2025 |
| Current Facility: | CFRC-EAST |
| Current Custody: | PENDING |
| Current Release Date: | SENTENCED TO LIFE |
