Florida duo murdered 88-year-old during a robbery hoping to fund a trip to Michigan, police say

One year after an 88-year-old man was murdered in Florida, police say they arrested two people in connection to the case.

One of the suspects was charged with murder hours after being released from jail on another case.

On Oct. 22, 2020, James Little, 88, was found beaten in his Sebring, Florida, home, according to the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office. He died in the hospital five days later.

Last week, deputies say they arrested Britney Lee Andrus, 24, and Tyler Ethan Best, 20, and both were charged with second-degree murder during the commission of a burglary in connection to the killing. They were also charged with burglary with battery and grand theft auto.

The duo lived in a suite attached to Little’s home and hatched a plan to rob him and steal his car so they could fund a trip to Michigan, according to the sheriff’s office.

Andrus was released from jail 12 hours before the arrest, according to the sheriff’s office. She had served time in connection to a 2020 arson case.

Best was already in jail when charged with the murder. He was being held on charges related to possessing a weapon by a felon and burglary.

Police say both suspects were identified early in the investigation based on various evidence.