The Hungryland Homicide: Man Kills His Wife, Then Attempts to Hide Her Remains Using Acid


The murder of Tricia Todd is a chilling case out of Florida. 

It gained national attention because of its shocking and gruesome details. 

Though justice was served, the case will still haunt Tricia Todd's loved ones for a lifetime. 

 Tricia Todd

A Loving Mother and Nurse Gone Missing

Tricia Todd was a 30-year-old hospice nurse from Martin County, Florida.

She dedicated her life to helping others. 

Tricia was a devoted mother to her 4-year-old daughter, Faith, and was known for her compassionate nature. 

Her sudden disappearance on April 26, 2016, left her community in shock and disbelief.

Tricia Todd was last seen alive by her ex-husband, Steven Williams, on the day of her disappearance. 

When she failed to pick up their daughter from the babysitter the following day, alarms were raised. 


Steven Williams and Tricia Todd


The Shocking Confession and Gruesome Discovery

Tricia Todd's sudden disappearance was out of character.

This led to a widespread search led by the Martin County Sheriff’s Office.

For nearly a month, search teams combed the Hobe Sound area and surrounding locations.

They desperately hoped to find Tricia Todd alive.

 Unfortunately, she was nowhere in sight.

It was until Williams made a disturbing confession that they were able to find her remains. 

On May 25, 2016, after several weeks of worry and uncertainty, Steven Williams confessed to killing his ex-wife. 

He said he killed Tricia Todd after an argument escalated during a visit to see their daughter. 

He claimed he accidentally pushed her, leading to her death. 

After she died, Williams disposed of her body in a container filled with acid to conceal the crime. 

He then led investigators to a remote area where they made a gruesome discovery.

They found a container filled with acid, containing parts of Tricia Todd’s remains. 

Investigators also found her dismembered body, and nine human teeth scattered nearby. 

Additionally, they found several tools believed to have been used in the crime, including a chainsaw, a reciprocating saw, and pliers. 

This discovery showed the horrifying lengths Williams had gone to in an attempt to dispose of her body.

Tricia Todd and her kid

Steven Williams's admission was really painful for Tricia Todd's family to hear.

However, it provided them with some closure about what had happened to their beloved Tricia.

Despite his confession, there were still lingering questions about the full extent of what had happened to Tricia Todd's body. 

The acidic conditions had significantly deteriorated the remains.


Tricia Todd on CCtv


Seeking Justice: A Sentence That Falls Short

On September 30, 2016, Steven Williams was found guilty of second-degree murder. 

He was sentenced to 35 years in prison as part of his plea deal. 

Williams struck a plea deal to avoid a life sentence, after he showed investigators where he had disposed of Todd's remains. 

In addition to the murder charge, he received five years for child neglect, which would run concurrently with his primary sentence. 

During the sentencing, Judge Mirman acknowledged that the sentence was far less than what many felt Williams deserved. 

The judge called the situation "clearly less than full justice."

However, he noted that the plea was the best option for answering the questions surrounding Todd's death, and providing some closure for her loved ones.

David Todd, Tricia’s father, addressed the court with grace and forgiveness.

He stated that he prayed for Williams and had come to terms with what had happened to his daughter. 


Steven Williams


The Long Road to Healing: Aftermath and Reflection

For Tricia Todd's family and friends, the road to healing has been a long and difficult one. 

The details of her death continue to be a source of deep sorrow, but they have found some solace in knowing the truth. 

Sheriff Snyder expressed similar sentiments.

He stated that while no one was truly happy with the outcome of the case, they had at least provided "some measure of justice" for the Todd family.

Stephen Williams is currently serving his sentence at the Jefferson Correctional Institution in Monticello, Florida.

His expected release date is January 12, 2049.

Though justice was served, the pain of her loss remains. 

In another case, a woman has been sentenced to life after she killed her stepson and stuffed his body in a suitcase.

Click here for more details on that case.




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