Brittany Nicole Holbrook, 35, has been sentenced to 40 years in prison for the second-degree murder of her live-in boyfriend, Tyler Kinnon Nulisch, in 2023.
The incident took place in their home in Monroe County, Florida, with Holbrook initially claiming self-defense. However, after an investigation, prosecutors found evidence that contradicted her claims.
The Murder and Investigation
On June 17, 2023, the police were called after Nulisch, 30, was found suffering from a gunshot wound in the couple’s shared home.
The couple’s roommate called 911, and when asked what had happened, Nulisch reportedly said, “that b***h shot me in the back.” He died shortly after being taken to the hospital.
Holbrook, in the early stages of the investigation, claimed that she acted in self-defense, but prosecutors noted that she had no physical injuries to support this claim.
Additionally, the nature of Nulisch’s injuries—which included significant wounds to his face, head, and neck—indicated a severe attack, not an act of self-defense.
Holbrook’s History and Threatening Statements
Holbrook had previously made alarming threats about wanting to kill her ex-boyfriend, just days before Nulisch’s murder. A friend of Nulisch‘s, Jessica Stiegel, who had been drinking with Holbrook, recalled a conversation in which Holbrook fantasized about killing her ex.
According to Stiegel, Holbrook, while intoxicated, said she would “take a knife into his stomach and rip upward to his throat,” describing it like gutting a deer.
Though it’s unclear if Holbrook made any similar remarks about Nulisch, the violent nature of Nulisch’s injuries and Holbrook’s prior threats led prosecutors to argue that Holbrook’s claim of battered spouse syndrome was unsupported by evidence.
Monroe County State Attorney Joseph Mansfield stated that the injuries to Nulisch were clear evidence that Holbrook had severely attacked him, contrary to her self-defense claim.
Holbrook’s Sentence and Nulisch’s Legacy
Holbrook was convicted in November 2024 for second-degree murder with a firearm, and on April 11, 2025, she was sentenced to 40 years in prison for the murder of Tyler Kinnon Nulisch.
Nulisch, who was remembered fondly in his obituary, was described as someone who loved nature, his dog, and enjoyed his annual hunting trips with his friends.
His friends and family remembered him for his easy spirit and beautiful smile, with his obituary noting that “6 inches of water on the bully boat and Chief by his side was his perfect day.”