Police say golfer was beaten to death with clubs in a random attack on a Florida course

A Florida man has been charged with first-degree murder after what police say appeared to be a random violent attack. authorities say victim beat golfer to death with his own club at a public Palm Beach Gardens golf course.

Junior Boucher, 36, is charged with the brutal murder of 65-year-old Brian Hiltebeitel, who died during an attack at Sandhill Crane Golf Club on Monday afternoon. Approximately 26 miles northwest of West Palm Beach.

The city-owned trailhead is about 70 miles north of Miami.

Palm Beach County Circuit Court documents obtained by USA TODAY show police say Boucher repeatedly hit the victim with golf clubs and forcibly held his head underwater before he died.

“Detectives have yet to discover a motive because this appears to be a random act of violence.” Palm Beach Gardens Police Department Maj. Javier Garcia told USA TODAY Wednesday afternoon.

After his arrest at the track on Monday, Boucher refused to speak to detectives without his attorney present.

Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office records show he was booked into the agency’s central jail just before 11:30 p.m. Monday.

Boucher, who court documents say lives in West Palm Beach, remained jail without bail Wednesday, according to online records.

At a jail hearing Tuesday, district judge Ted Booras appointed Boucher a public defender. Per policy, the county Public Defender’s Office does not comment on open cases.

At a press conference on Tuesday, Palm Beach Gardens Police Chief Dominick Pape told reporters that Boucher had no purpose in being on the golf course and that so far the men did not know each other.

“We are still examining the clues.” Palm Beach PostThe chef, part of the USA TODAY Network, reported. “We’re still interviewing people.”

Who was Brian Hiltebeitel?

Police told USA TODAY that Hiltebeitel was living in West Palm Beach at the time of his death. Dina Lauro, the victim’s girlfriend, told NBC Miami She and Hiltebeitel met in Philadelphia before moving to South Florida, and she said she was shocked by the terrible news of his death.

“He was my right-hand man,” Lauro told the press. “He was such a good person, exciting to be with, always in a good mood, never depressed.”

USA TODAY reached out to Lauro.

Body of victim playing golf in Palm Beach found in pond at first hole

Shortly before 1:30 p.m., officers responded to multiple 911 calls reporting a person attacking a man with a golf club, according to a probable cause statement obtained by USA TODAY.

Officers responded to the first hole of the course and found the victim’s body in a nearby pond, according to the court document.

A short time later, officers said they came into contact with Boucher, who was trying to escape while half-naked.

Police teams arrived at the scene, took the injured person out of the water and provided medical attention.

The affidavit continues: Hiltebeitel “had multiple deep cuts on the back of his head and body.” Fire crews determined that the person died at the scene.

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‘He’s trying to kill me!’

Witnesses told police Boucher began hitting Hiltebeitel with a golf club near the first hole, then grabbed another club and chased the victim into the pond, according to the report. Both men continued to hit the victim until he was in the water.

According to testimony, at least one eyewitness told police the victim was yelling, “He’s trying to kill me!” He said he heard him shouting.

Witnesses told police that at one point Boucher jumped on top of Hiltebeitel and appeared to be choking her. A short time later, Boucher emerged from the water, took off his clothes and walked into a nearby wooded area, the arrest report continues:

Officers wrote that they used an “electronic control device” to take Boucher into custody and then took Boucher to the hospital for a medical evaluation before sending him to jail.

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What led to the murder on the golf course?

Boucher’s family reported her missing to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office about an hour before the attack, Pape said.

Court records show the attack occurred the same day two relatives filed an eviction notice against Boucher.

According to court records, the same relatives filed an eviction lawsuit against him in 2018.

Online court records show Boucher will return to court Dec. 26 for a hearing on the murder charge.

This story has been updated with new information.

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior correspondent for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @nataliealund.

Julius Whigham II is the criminal justice and public safety reporter for The Palm Beach Post. Reach him at [email protected] and follow him on X @JuliusWhigham.

This article first appeared on USA TODAY: Florida man beat golfer to death with clubs in pool: police