Florida Teen Fatally Stabbed by Estranged Ex-Boyfriend
A 16-year-old Florida girl was fatally stabbed by her estranged ex-boyfriend just two weeks after celebrating her birthday, authorities have confirmed.
The body of Abbriella Elliott was discovered on March 27 by a hiker at the Cypress Lakes Preserve Trailhead in Hernando County, located about 50 to 100 feet into the wooded area. According to the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office, Elliott was last seen leaving her home around 1 a.m. to meet someone believed to be her killer.
Sheriff Al Nienhuis said the nature of the attack indicated it was not a random act. “We could tell pretty quickly that there was a lot of passion and a lot of violence involved… It was nothing short of very violent,” he stated during a press conference. He added that Elliott appeared to have been killed with an edged weapon.
On March 28, 16-year-old Cameron Cubel was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in connection with the case. While police confirmed that Elliott knew her alleged killer, they have not publicly confirmed the exact nature of their relationship. However, Elliott’s parents told 10 Tampa Bay that Cubel was her ex-boyfriend, and they had broken up six months before the attack.
Authorities also noted that Cubel had a previous battery charge, though further details were not disclosed.
Elliott’s mother, Danyel Caltagirone, described her daughter as someone who was “always smiling and singing and acting goofy.” A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to support the family with funeral expenses. “Abby’s spirit shone brightly… her laughter and warmth filled every room,” the family wrote in her obituary.
A vigil was held on March 30 in her honor, where her stepfather, Leo Lind, told mourners that Elliott would have been thrilled by the turnout. “The light she brings to people, her smiles, she’s just fun to be around… I know she’s here with us,” he said.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have not released additional details about the motive behind the killing.
