Tristyn Bailey’s parents: Their reaction to her murder and Aiden’s sentence

Aiden Fucci will spend the rest of his life in prison for murdering Tristyn Bailey in cold blood. As he handed down the sentence, Judge R. Lee Smith stated that the case troubled him deeply. He stated:

“This was not done out of greed. It was not done in retaliation or retribution or revenge. It was not a crime of passion. It was not a crime that was committed because he felt rejected by her. It was not done in a fit of uncontrollable anger. There was no reason. There was no purpose.”

Tristyn’s father, Forrest, praised Aiden’s sentence and refused to accept his apology

Tristyn Bailey was born to Stacy and Forrest Bailey. She grew up alongside four older siblings: Brittney, Alexis, Sophia, and Teegan. 

After Aiden’s sentencing, Forrest told reporters that the Bailey family was satisfied with the verdict. “We are very appreciative of this outcome and feel that it is the right verdict, considering how heinous the crime is and Aiden’s behavior around it,” Forrest said. 

Forrest thanked the community for its support and everyone who participated in Aiden’s prosecution. “Today is about focusing on the people who helped deliver justice for our community,” Forrest stated. “And I want to keep the focus on that.”

Forrest urged the community to learn from Tristyn’s murder. He reminded people that Aiden received Tristyn’s contact information hours before killing her. “While we have gotten to a point where children are carrying technology for convenience and safety to contact their parents and their friends when needed, it comes at great risk,” Forrest said. 

Tristyn’s father urged kids to view phones as a privilege, not a right. He accepted the apology offered by Fucci’s grandmother, Deborah Spiwak, during Aiden’s sentencing hearing. 

“Your apology on the stand really touched us,” Forrest said. “It was the first time anyone in your family had acknowledged it, and we feel for you, as we can tell how much you are hurting.”

However, he refused to accept Aiden’s apology to the family, describing his letter as a defense strategy. “I believe it is due to coaching from the defense with respect to the legal process,” Forrest explained. Forrest added that the family declined the apology from Aiden’s mother, Crystal Smith. 

“I would say if she’s sorry she can start by accepting responsibility,” Forrest said. 

Each member of Tristyn’s family asked the judge to prescribe the maximum sentence

Tristyn’s family gave heartfelt victim impact statements, requesting the judge to prescribe the maximum sentence. 

Alexis, Tristyn’s sister, dropped 114 heart-shaped stones into a glass jar, each for every stab wound Aiden inflicted. She expressed regret that she couldn’t save her sister’s life, considering that the murder happened so close to the family home. Alexis said:

“Aiden Fucci didn’t just take Tristyn’s life that day. He took everything from us. Our family’s sense of security, laughs, health and sense of potential. For us, justice does not exist in this case and closure does not exist in this case. Peace, understanding, and forgiveness will never come.”

Teegan, Tristyn’s brother, said he felt guilty for failing to save Tristyn. “Had I slept on that couch within an earshot of the front door, there’s a possibility my little sister could still be alive today,” he said. 

Brittney, the oldest Bailey sibling, called Aiden a ‘ruthless, unremorseful villain’. “While I sit here publicly reliving tidbits of our worst nightmare, I recognize that none of these horrific memories will bring Tristyn back,” Brittney said. 

Stacy, Tristyn’s mother, said that Tristyn’s room remains untouched. “I can’t bear to change one thing, not even washing her clothes in the hamper as it would wash away the scent of her,” she said. Each family member dropped a white stone in the jar filled by Alexis to represent what they lost when Tristyn died. 

Stacy dropped two stones, one for her and the other for Sophia, who didn’t provide a statement. Every victim asked the judge to prescribe the maximum sentence. Stacy said:

“Aiden Fucci made a heinous decision on May 9, 2021, and took the very life that I brought into this world. Please do not for one second think that he could be rehabilitated at any point. He is beyond saving.”

Tristyn’s family, known as the Bailey 7, plans to honor her memory

Regardless of Tristyn’s death, the Baileys still consider themselves a family of seven. The Bailey 7, as they are popularly known, are committed to honoring her memory. 

A year after Tristyn’s passing, the community, clad in turquoise, teal, and aqua colors, gathered for a vigil. The Bailey 7 released a statement saying they were working on several community-based initiatives to honor her memory, including contributing to youth mental health programs. 

“Through acts of kindness and love as a community we can drive out evil together,” the family said. Ahead of Aiden’s sentencing, the family released a tribute saying:

“Tristyn made an incredible impact in 13 years and it is a travesty to not see what she would have done. We remain forever, Tristyn Bailey Strong!”