This browser does not support getting your location. Now, hes our hero, Cruz says of Hilarie. All rights reserved. The witness account led to the identification of Bustos, which helped focus the investigation, Ray said. If you have questions, please contact [emailprotected]. ADAM HILARIE OBITUARY. Warner, the first of the four co-defendants to stand trial, is the only one facing the death penalty. Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. "Hilarie was begging for his life, he was not putting up any kind of fight, and was telling them that he had a 5-year-old daughter," according to arrest reports. Anna, 52, says seeing people from all walks of life coming together after her sons death, hugging and crying, is so amazing., She continues, tearing up, Words cant tell how Im so grateful to everybody.. . But Ray said Monday that soon after Hilarie dropped Bustos off at her apartment that night, she allegedly met up with the three other suspects. Failed to report flower. The two had met on the dating app PlentyofFish, and enjoyed a night of bowling and hanging out at Hilaries place before he took Bustos home. Police believe this may not have been the first robbery the female suspect set up in this way and so the arrests potentially prevent more crimes and spare more victims. The defendant becomes emotional twice over references to his now-deceased grandfather. Adam was born in Bartow and was a lifelong resident of the area graduating from. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. Year should not be greater than current year. Jury selection will begin March 2, 2020. Ex-girlfriend of victim shares heartfelt moments from Hilaries life through stories about his stolen hats. Please enter your email and password to sign in. Adam Hilaries family is devastated in the wake of his shooting death last week, after police allege he was lured into a robbery by a woman he met online. Survivors include his daughter, La Jaya Hilarie, father, Theobald Hilarie, mother, Anna Cruz, brothers Errol Cruz, Angel Cruz, Johnathan Jackson, Kalvin Lopez and Jamaal Lopez, two sisters, Talaina Patrice and Shontal Hilarie, his grandmother, Felicita Sierra and an abundance of loving family and friends. "When it came to sports, he was always the number one pick," Jackson said. Later that night Bustos returned to Hilarie's house with accomplices who burgled low value items and shot Hilarie dead. Police have arrested four individuals for their involvement in the homicide. There is no reason for them to implicate Andre Warner, except for the fact that its just true, Ducharme told jurors in her closing argument Wednesday. Somehow police arent sure exactly how the suspects got back into Hilaries apartment early Friday. During the trial, co-defendant Hailey Bustos, 21, testified that she had met Hilarie through the PlentyofFish.com dating website, and went on a date with him intending to fleece him for money. "Millions of Americans visit online dating websites every year hoping to find a companion or even a soulmate," the FBI said just before Valentine's Day, adding that "the FBI wants to warn you that criminals use these sites, too, looking to turn the lonely and vulnerable into fast money through a variety of scams.". Try again later. "No matter what we did, we always had a good time and he always had that smile. All four are charged with conspiracy to commit robbery, robbery with a firearm or a deadly weapon and first-degree murder; and three of the four, including Bustos and Warner, are charged with violation of probation, Ray said. Edit a memorial you manage or suggest changes to the memorial manager. Both had admitted to their involvement in the crime, and both are facing life imprisonment if theyre convicted of first-degree murder, armed robbery, conspiracy to commit armed robbery and armed burglary. \"Please dont take my life, I have a 5-year-old daughter Some of the last words spoken by single father, Adam Hilarie according to key witness Hailey Bustos.\"They were laughing about him begging for his life.\" Hailey Bustos breaks down on the stand as she details the night they planned to rob single father, Adam Hilaire. Still, stories exist across the country of people looking for love but finding violent criminals instead. Photos larger than 8Mb will be reduced. To use this feature, use a newer browser. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. As Hilarie bled out, Ray said, the suspects went downstairs, pulled their car to the front of the apartment and began stealing the dead man's Xbox, iPhone and TVs -- valuables Bustos had spotted the night before. He estimated Hilarie had been on the site less than two months, because that's when Hilarie broke up with his last girlfriend. Tells them it has no place in his courtroom after Ducharme says that is ridiculous referring to Norgard. No animated GIFs, photos with additional graphics (borders, embellishments. They were all charged with conspiracy to commit robbery, robbery with a firearm/deadly weapon and first degree murder. Hailey Bustos takes the stand, tells the defense attorney emphaticallyI really dont care if I spend the rest of my life in prison, as long as hes behind bars too.. I keep telling my kids, I got so much faith, Anna tells PEOPLE. Miss Bustos has essentially said that she is doing everything she can to get a favorable plea deal from the state, and that's her motivation.. As the victim escorted the woman known as "Nikki" to his car, a man with a gun appeared and the pair robbed the victim of $300, then ran away. He brought out the good in everyone," said Angel Cruz, Hilarie's brother. Auburndale police say Adam Hilarie, 27, was shot and killed inside his apartment on Sunset Ave. around 6:30 p.m. Friday night. AUBURNDALE, Fla.Thousands of people are turning to the internet for love, but one online date ended tragically for a man from Auburndale. I don't understand how people could even want to be like that," Angel Cruz said. About 3 a.m. on Aug. 17, Bustos rode with her friends to Hilarie's Auburndale apartment, directing them how to get there, the prosecutor said. She saw him the next night, when on Friday she brought three men to rob Hilarie of TVs, an Xbox and an iPhone, and one of them shot him in the head, Deputy Chief Andy Ray said at a news conference. Andre Warner, 26, Gary Gray, 31, and Joshua Ellington, 26, were also also arrested on charges of conspiracy to commit robbery, robbery with a firearm and first-degree murder. Which memorial do you think is a duplicate of Adam Hilarie (168882215)? You may not upload any more photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 20 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 5 photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 30 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 15 photos to this memorial. Warner has been held in the Polk County Jail without bail since his arrest in August 2016. Hilarie, 27, had been shot once in the back of his head in his Auburndale apartment, killing him instantly. Bustos was allegedly paid $50 to arrange the robbery, according to the Sentinel, citing police. All photos uploaded successfully, click on the Done button to see the photos in the gallery. Your account has been locked for 30 minutes due to too many failed sign in attempts. 3 about 6:45 a.m. Aug. 19. We don't wear the rival colors. You can customize the cemeteries you volunteer for by selecting or deselecting below. They were all charged with conspiracy to commit robbery, robbery with a firearm/deadly weapon and first degree murder. Bustos then reportedly returned to his apartment with other suspects to rob Hilarie. When Hilarie, 27, responded to the knock on the door, the men overpowered him and dashed inside, police said. 24/7 LIVE gavel-to-gavel coverage, in-depth legal reporting and expert analysis of the nations most important and compelling trials.WATCH COURT TV LIVE: https://www.courttv.com/title/court-tv-live-stream-web/WATCH TRIALS ON DEMAND:https://www.courttv.com/programming/trial-archives/I WANT MY COURT TV: https://www.courttv.com/where-to-watch/#FLvWarner #AdamHIlarie #DatingAppMurderTrial One juror says hes a manager in the grocery store industry and fears his supervisors will ask for his jury service to be recalled so he can address mounting coronavirus concerns in the coming days. The penalty phase will take three weeks, including jury selection. Flowers added to the memorial appear on the bottom of the memorial or here on the Flowers tab. A jury of five men and seven women deliberated about 2 hours Wednesday night before finding Andre Maurice Warner guilty of the execution-style killing of Cruz son, Adam Hilarie, in an August 2016 home-invasion robbery and murder. "In cases like this, it's easy for us to put ourselves in the shoes of the family," Ray said, as he detailed the arrest of four people in connection with the killing including 18-year-old Hailey Bustos, who went on the date with him. Join Facebook to connect with Adam Hilarie and others you may know. Are you sure that you want to delete this memorial? Warner, 30, was convicted March 18 for the murder of Adam Hilarie, 27, who was fatally shot during a robbery in his Auburndale apartment after returning from a date with 18-year-old Hailey. Court bans spectators, including the victim and the defendants family from the courtroom. He was an amateur boxer and mixed martial arts fighter, an excellent athlete, with a job interview planned just days. As those closest to Adam come together and grieve, they're struggling to understand why anyone would want to kill him. If not for yourself, then for my daughter," said Shayla Mills, Lajaya's mother. They say Adam had a beaming smile, kind heart, and a huge love for the Florida State Seminoles. He posted multiple photos of his daughter on his Facebook page, calling her "Princess." The pair went bowling and returned to his apartment following their first date . Police have arrested four individuals for their involvement in the homicide. Bustos, who has a lengthy criminal record, was being investigated for an unrelated burglary charge when she was approached Sunday by detectives. All four suspects were booked on charges of Conspiracy to Commit Robbery, Robbery with a Deadly Weapon and First-Degree Murder. At least one of the men, police said, had a gun. I dont think that was necessarily the plan in the beginning, he said. . . A few hours later, the pair ended up at his place, where they talked a bit more and met up with his roommate. Copyright 2016 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. He said she minimized her involvement and that Ellington, her good friend, Norgard said. Its a reflection of impact Hilarie had on others, his family says: Ever a protector of people, he would always put others first. And on dating sites, would-be scammers have a trump card: People are irrational when they're looking for love. I just don't get it. Policy | Do Not Sell My Info | Privacy Center | Cookie Policy | Terms Of Use, Posted at 12:00 PM, October 19, 2020 and last updated 12:52 PM, February 14, 2023, Murdaugh Trial: Lingering Unanswered Questions, SC Attorney Says Satterfield Case is Up Next. This is a carousel with slides. Ellington and Bustosalso face charges for violating their probation. We have set your language to Thats one of those that just causes us to scratch our heads. BARTOW Andre Warner is sitting before a jury now on trial for first-degree murder and facing the death penalty solely because a co-defendant in the case, Hailey Rose Bustos, told detectives Warner killed Adam Hilarie in a 2016 home-invasion robbery, a defense lawyer told jurors Tuesday. Police told the family it doesn't look like Hilarie's apartment was broken into, but his family says some expensive electronics and jewelry are missing. Police said he was killed between 2:30 a.m. and 7 a.m. and his roommate discovered his body, along with several missing items, hours later upon returning home. "Her comfort with the way this went, didn't seem like it was her first time," he said. I know that my God is going to take care of it.. (It wasnt immediately clear if they had entered pleas to their charges or retained attorneys.). All rights reserved. Several hundred people are expected at Hilaries funeral, and more than 100 attended a vigil for him last weekend. Police were initially called to investigate a suspicious death and later ruled Hilarie's death a homicide. "You should get to know them better than that so you can judge their character and also know their intentions. A month earlier, Hilarie, 27, had broken up with his longtime girlfriend, with whom he shared a 5-year-old daughter, and he had posted his profile on the dating website, Ducharme said. Joshua Ellington testifies hes been promised no deal in exchange for pointing the finger at Andre Warner. On Aug. 18, 2016, 27-year-old Adam Hilarie went on a date with 18-year-old Hailey Bustos. Search above to list available cemeteries. The sponsor of a memorial may add an additional. "As of now, investigators believe there have been 6 such incidents in the past 5 weeks. Bustos mother and Adam Hilaries mother share an embrace in the gallery following Bustos testimony. His service continues for now. Police have arrested four individuals for their involvement in the. But I dont think she understands it how we understand it. ", echerney@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5735. She never showed; instead, two men with guns held the victims up, according to NBC affiliate WFLA. Hilarie and LaJaya were sidekicks, his brother Errol says. Assistant State Attorney Kristie Ducharme, in her closing argument, said Bustos and Ellington, who also testified against Warner, had nothing to gain by testifying. Hilarie Vetere's passing has been publicly announced by Oman Funeral Home & Crematory in Chesapeake, VA.Legacy invites you to offer condolences and share memories of Hilarie in the Guest Book bel Please try again later. LaJaya understands that hes not here anymore and hes not going to be here anymore, Errol says.