Mahogany Heights resident, 16 years, murdered near home

The community of Mahogany Heights is reeling over the brutal murder of one of its own, a minor. Sixteen year old Austin Tillett was found dead approximately two hundred yards from his home on Sunday. He had multiple wounds to the upper part of his body and legs. The motive for this latest homicide is still not known but four minors, believed to have been acquaintances, are being questioned. News Five’s Duane Moody followed this story and has this report.

The blood stains on this patch of grass show where the body of sixteen year old Austin Tillett was found shortly after noon on Sunday. It is believed he was slaughtered at the same spot.

Sergeant Peter Serano, O.C., Hattieville Police
“The body had multiple cut wounds.”

Duane Moody
“Has anything proven how long the body was there?”

Sgt. Peter Serano
“From my investigation, the body was basically intact. The fellow was last seen the Saturday night. So, we already narrowed that down from the time the murder happened until we found the body.”

Duane Moody
“The body was found in bushes some one hundred and seventy-two feet off a back road in the mahogany heights community. It was with the assistance of residents in the area who overheard a struggle earlier that morning that led police to the gruesome discovery.”

Tillett’s Mother, Valerie O’Brian, says the last time she saw her son was on Saturday night around eight-thirty when he was going to the club with a friend who was staying at their home.

Valerie O’Brian, Mother of Deceased
“I saw him on Friday evening, I came from work and I told him, I said Austin come here. I said sit right here and so he come and he sit and he hug me. And so I say, who is that guy? Cause he have wah friend who come and stay up here since Wednesday. So, I say who is that guy? He said mom, it’s his friend from city. I said I no trust that guy I feel that they sent that guy to kill you. Just like that. He said mom, no mom that is my shotta. And after that a song start to play on the radio, ‘Watch yo friends weh yoh smoke with and you know and you know.” And he just start to smile and he she ma no worry bout nothing. And he just hug me and kiss me cause he always do that. And that dah no the last time but the night before he gaan out, the boy come in, he deh in ya. They start to change up and thing and they gone bout eight-thirty so.”

Duane Moody
“That’s Saturday night?”

Valerie O’Brian
“Saturday night and that was the last time I saw my son.”

Duane Moody
“Where were they going?”

Valerie O’Brian
“I thought it was the club, but I’m not sure. Because he said he was going to the club the night.”

Duane Moody
“You said that he was an active person. Do you know why somebody woulda mi wah do something like this to ahn?”

Valerie O’Brian
“No, cause he got a lot of friends and he trust all ih friends.”

Duane Moody
“What about the bwai weh mi deh ya from city. Weh he deh?”

Valerie O’Brian
“I no sure, I think the cops have him or something I no sure.”

That person is in fact one of four minors who police currently have detained.

Sgt. Peter Serano
“ We presently have four persons detained who we are positively sure could help us in our investigation. The motive of the senseless murder at present is unknown.”

The weapon used to kill Tillett has not yet been located. Tillett had cut wounds to the neck, hands and legs. Duane Moody reporting for News Five.

Tillett was recently released from boot camp for a firearm offense.