A Little Party Never Killed Nobody… The Tyler Hadley Case
I’ve heard about this case a few times, especially watching Dateline/48 Hours. I always thought that this kid was pretty naive to kill his parents just to throw a party, and take drugs, but he’s definitely more troubled than naive. It’s just so sad that two people had to lose their lives over a stupid party, especially when the last thing they saw was their son killing them.
Background
Tyler Hadley was a troubled 17 year old that lived in Port St. Lucie, Florida. He lived with his parents Blake and Mary-Jo Hadley. He attended Port St. Lucie High School, and apparently was not very popular.
Hadley Family in happier times
Blake and Mary-Jo
Tyler
He was telling everyone around school all week that he was going to throw a party. He said his parents were going to be out of town, but nobody believed him.
Planning of the Party
On July 16th, 2011, a Saturday, Tyler messaged his friend Antonio, once again saying he was trying to have a party. They had a conversation on Facebook around 11:25-11:30am. It said:
“Tyler Hadley: sup bra
Antonio Ramirez: Chillen what you doin tonight?
Tyler Hadley: tryin to have a party at my crib
Antonio Ramirez: Your parents ain’t home?
Tyler Hadley: nope
Tyler Hadley: well their leasvin soon”
Tyler also posted a message on his Facebook wall “having a party tonight…maybe.” He posted this around 1:15pm.
Murder
Around 5pm, Tyler took a few ecstasy pills. He went to kill his mom first, she was working on their computer. He beat her to death with a hammer. His dad ran out because he heard his wife’s screams, he ran out to see what Tyler had done. Tyler then beat his dad to death. He cleaned up the blood, and hid their bodies in the master bedroom. Tyler than hosted a party.
Party
The party started around 11:30pm, when a few people from Tyler’s school showed up. According to some people, Tyler was on ecstasy and he seemed very anxious. He was telling people to be careful, and not to smoke because it was his parent’s house.
While they were listening to music, playing beer bong, and drinking, a few people noticed that their was a brown-red dried stain around the computer, and one person even joked that the house smelled like “dead people.” Tyler didn't think that joke was funny, and was very on edge.
According to Tyler’s Facebook messages, he had joked with a few friends before about killing his parents to have a party. Two weeks before the party, he was mad at his mom for taking away his cell phone and said this to his friend Mercedes:
“Tyler Hadley: lol yup shes a c*** fa sho i might kill her
Mercedes Maxine Marko: Omg no jail!! Or I mean prison! Lol
Tyler Hadley: oh well <3”
By midnight, there were about a hundred people at Tyler’s house. A few people started to notice a weird “sweaty” smell, and stains around the house. I’m sure if you throw a party, stains aren’t an issue, but usually a smell of bodies isn’t a good sign.
Tyler apparently had conversations with people while the partying was dying down, that he wanted to “have fun before he left,” and that he was “going away for 60 years” because he “did something bad.”
Confession
Tyler did tell one person the truth that night. He told his best friend Michael Mandell. Michael didn't believe him. Tyler told him to look in the garage. He showed him the garage, and the master bedroom.
Tyler told him what happened. He said after he killed his parents with a hammer, he dragged their bodies to the master bedroom. He buried them beneath a pile of broken dishes, shattered glass, bloody towels, pillowcases, a coffee table, books, a mop, wipes and a canister of coffee grounds. He said it took him 3 hours to clean up the mess, and when he looked at his reflection after, he laughed.
Everyone finally left at 2am, except for Michael. They continued to hangout for awhile, and even took a selfie.
At 2am, the police showed up, but just because of a noise complaint. By that point, Tyler was acting weird and wanted everyone out of his house. He was also telling people he was going to have another party, and even posted this message to his Facebook wall at 4:40am:
“party at my house again hmu”
Michael Mandell called Crimestoppers, to turn Tyler in.
Michael Mandell
Tyler’s Behavior
Tyler was apparently really close to his parents growing up, but changed in the last few years. His neighbor had reported to his mom, that he was smoking. She didn't believe it, and according to the neighbor said that “my son doesn't smoke.”
In April, Tyler had gotten into a fight at a friend’s house, and was arrested on a charge of aggravated battery. He had a juvenile record, and had been charged with burglary before. His mom had confiscated his phone, while he had to spend two weeks under house arrest.
A month before the party, his mom sent him to a mental health clinic. Tyler had come home “smashed as fuck,” and had urinated on his friend’s bed. His mom was asked if she was afraid that Tyler would hurt her, and she said she was afraid he would kill himself.
Investigation
The police showed up at Tyler’s house at 4:32am. They parked across the street.
Tyler was walking around inside his house, pacing back and fourth, and apparently “had a disturbing look on his face.”
The police rang the doorbell and knocked, and Tyler didn't answer right away. They continued to ring the doorbell until Tyler came out. They took Tyler outside, and tried to enter the house. Tyler was yelling “don’t go in there,” and was very frantic and his pupils were huge.
The police walked to the locked master bedroom, and finally opened it. There were streaks of blood on the headboard and frame.
Tyler’s brother Ryan, who was 23 went to visit his brother to get answers. There was a lot of speculation, and Tyler had told many lies about his parents, mostly his dad. Some of his friends said he was under a lot of pressure, that his dad wasn't his real dad, and that it was the drugs.
When the police searched the Hadley home, they found prescriptions for Hydroxyzine, a medication for anxiety. They also found Citalopram, a medication for depression.
According to another inmate, Tyler had told him that he planned the murder 3 weeks before it happened. He also told the inmate “you should have come to the party, it was awesome.”
Sentencing
In 2014, Tyler was sentenced to life in prison without parole because he was 17 and couldn't be sentenced to death.
In December 2018, Tyler was re sentenced to life in prison, but this time with the possibility of parole.
Tyler Hadley in court
Other
Tyler writes to his grandparents in prison, and apparently had a lot of guilt, angry, confused and bored. He wrote:
““I was just living my life as a normal seventeen year old kid and next thing I know I’m in the middle of St. Lucie County jail…I ruined a lot of people’s lives and I can’t seem to forgive myself. I find myself crying a lot because of all the guilt. Everyday I beg for forgiveness and I ask God not to send me to Hell. I don’t want to go there. Father Michael told me that if I just confess my sins and repent then God will forgive me for everything. I just can’t get rid of all this guilt. It’s swallowing me whole…I’m extremely nervous that I’m going to get a life sentence. It’s making me pretty depressed I want to say I’m really sorry for all the grief I’ve stirred up. I know everyone thinks I’m a psychopath and all. But I really am sorry for everything. I’ve been praying everyday for forgiveness and for a decent plea offer. I should get one since it’s my first offense…I feel extremely bad for Ryan and especially you and my other grandparents for the grief I’ve caused. I feel like Ryan doesn’t love me anymore but I know he does and he’s just going through a rough time…It’s so hard going through this. I’m scared and I feel so alone…””
He also said he forgives Michael for turning him in, but said “I’m in jail because of you.” So clearly, I don’t think he forgives him.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
Personally, I think Tyler is narcissistic, and think he can do whatever he wants. From what I’ve read and seen, he doesn't feel remorse, he wanted to have a party and knew the only way it would be possible is if he killed his parents. He also seems like he’s a pathological liar. He’s still blaming others for what he did. I think it was very brave of his friend to turn him in, and Tyler is only in jail for what he did and the decisions he made. I don’t feel bad for this kid at all, I think he should be in jail for the rest of his life.
Sources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Blake_and_Mary-Jo_Hadley
https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/tyler-hadleys-killer-party-54270/
