Police: Florida teen killed parents, held party at home with bodies inside

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Photographer: Giovanna Drpic/WPTV

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The police are investigating a death in Port St. Lucie
Photographer: Vince Norman

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Posted: 07/18/2011

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - Police in Port St. Lucie, Fla., said a teenager killed his parents after he sent his friends a Facebook invite for a party at his house.

Police said 17-year-old Tyler Hadley has been charged with two counts of first degree murder.

Investigators said they found the deceased bodies of Blake and Mary-Joe Hadley in their locked bedroom Sunday morning. They had been partially covered with household items such as towels, books and pictures.

A 22-inch hammer was found in between their bodies and it is believed to be the murder weapon, police said.

The Hadleys suffered blunt force trauma to the head and torso, according to investigators.

"The crime scene was, certainly, a merciless killing," said Port St. Lucie Police Captain Don Kryak.

“I wasn’t quite sure until I saw the (medical examiner) show up, then I knew what was going on,” said Jim Wallace, who lives next door.

Neighbors said the Hadleys' 17-year-old son had hosted a party with dozens of other teenagers Saturday evening that lasted into the early hours of Sunday.

Police said the parents were killed before the party. They don't think those attending the party knew the bodies were inside at the time.

The party began between 9 and 10 p.m. Investigators say before Tyler killed his parents he went on Facebook and invited people to his house for the party.

One of those teenage guests was Mike Young who said he does not know the Hadleys' son very well.

“There was a good 50 people that were here (Saturday) night,” said Young.

A neighbor called police because of party noise, but it was not until later Sunday morning when police went into the Hadley home and made the grim discovery.

When police arrived around 4:20 a.m. Sunday for a 'welfare check' following a tip that a crime had been committed, they said Tyler Hadley appeared nervous and skittish. They said he said very little.

Blake Hadley had worked for Florida Power and Light since 1981. Mary-Joe was a first-grade teacher at a local elementary school.

The couple lived in their home for at least the past 10 years.

"I've known Mary-Joe since she was in high school in Fort Lauderdale. They are a nice family. The kids are always nice. They used to come to our house trick-or-treating and they always called me Miss Charlie," said Charlene Moses, a family friend.

Police said the Hadleys had an older son who did not live at the home.

Tyler Hadley is in custody and being held without bond. He is in the juvenile system but will be charged as an adult. Police believe he acted alone and do not expect to charge anyone else in the case.

Police have not identified a motive.

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WPTV's Dan Corcoran, Jon Shainman and Giovanna Drpic contributed to this report.

 

Copyright 2011 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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