(Sumter County, FL) 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 Hirsh. Hirsh stated he knew the victim as they were neighbors and the victim was a family friend. Hirsh 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 – Hirsh was picked up by his school bus driver who asked what was going on, with Hirsh 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, Hirsh 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, 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, 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.
Published on 08/01/2025.