Today Brian Omar Hyde, 22, was sentenced to life in prison for each of the four counts of Second Degree Murder for killing his family and a family friend in their Lehigh Acres home in August 2015. The sentences will be served concurrently. Hyde was found guilty as charged following a four day trial in Lee County in April.
The crime occurred when Hyde used a machete to murder his aunt Dorla Pitts, 37, her daughter Starlette Pitts, 17, and her daughter’s boyfriend, Michael Deon Kelly Jr., 19. Starlette was 6 months pregnant so our prosecutors added the additional murder charge for her unborn child, Ary.
The victims were found dead in their home after a family friend went to check on them. Hyde was arrested after he was pulled over by law enforcement for driving erratically. He was driving his deceased aunt’s car and had a bag packed in the trunk. Assistant State Attorneys Andreas Gardiner and Hamid Hunter of our Homicide Unit handled the case.
Samantha Syoen
Communications Director
State Attorney’s Office
239-533-1125
ssyoen@sao20.org