Florida – In a disturbing case in Florida that has captured public attention, a 16-year-old boy, identified as C. Cubel, has been charged with the first-degree murder of his 16-year-old ex-girlfriend, identified as A. Elliot, who was found deceased on a trail just weeks after her birthday. The murder, described by authorities as “very violent,” has left a community in mourning and a family grappling with an unimaginable loss.
The tragic discovery was made last month, on March 27, when a hiker found Elliot’s body. According to the sheriff’s office, the nature of the death pointed to a crime of passion, indicating that the attack was not a random act but one fueled by intense emotions. Cubel was arrested the following day and charged with first-degree murder.
The sheriff’s office swiftly pieced together the events leading to Elliot’s death, noting that she had sneaked out of her home around 1 a.m. to meet Cubel, her ex-boyfriend from whom she had separated six months prior. “We were relatively confident this was not a random act and, because she did sneak out in the middle of the night to meet with one or more individuals, we are confident that she likely knew the killer,” Sheriff A. Nienhuis shared.
The investigation revealed a tumultuous relationship between Elliot and Cubel, marked by previous instances of aggression. Cubel, who had a prior battery arrest, was immediately suspected of carrying out the brutal stabbing that led to Elliot’s death. During a press conference, Neinhuis conveyed that the violence involved in the attack was stark, underscoring the severity of the altercation that led to such a tragic outcome. According to authorities, Elliot was stabbed to death with an edged weapon.
The loss of Elliot has deeply affected those who knew her. Described in her obituary as a girl who “loved watching movies, hanging out with family and friends, and completely being a goofball,” her vibrant presence and kind-hearted nature made her a beloved figure in her community. Her mother, D. Caltagirone, has been vocal about her grief, expressing her profound loss on social media and through a GoFundMe campaign set up to cover Elliot’s funeral expenses, which quickly surpassed its $10,000 goal.
In a heart-wrenching statement, Caltagirone shared her agony over the loss of her daughter, “God I just want to wake up from this nightmare how can the world have such a psychopath in it they were both so young he didn’t just take her from my family he robbed himself from his family as well but at least they can still talk to him I’ll never be able to talk to my daughter I have to go see a piece of wood or ashes to talk to her this isn’t fair she was an angel literally from heaven just want to crawl in a hole and wake up from this horrible horrible nightmare then we call life, mommy loves you and I will be here every minute for the rest of my life fighting for a domestic violence because nobody deserves what happened to you.”
As the legal process unfolds, with Cubel facing a charge as severe as first-degree murder and possibly being tried as an adult, the community continues to rally around the grieving family. A prayer vigil held shortly after the tragedy showed the profound impact Elliot had on those around her, with attendees remembering her joyful spirit and loving nature. The case continues to develop, with law enforcement and the district attorney’s office working to ensure justice is served. Meanwhile, Elliot’s family and friends focus on preserving her memory and advocating against domestic violence, hoping that their tragedy can help prevent future suffering for others.
