Man killed after meeting woman on online dating site

AUBURNDALE (FOX 13) - Police charged four people with murder after one of them allegedly lured a 27-year-old man on a dating website before robbing and killing him.

Adam Hilarie's roommate found him dead Friday in their apartment on Sunset Avenue, launching an investigation into what happened.

Detectives determined that Hilarie met a woman, later identified as Hailey Bustos, on an dating website, "Plenty of Fish." After going on a date with Bustos, police said the two briefly went back to Hilarie's apartment.

Investigators believe Bustos, 18, was just casing the place and plotted to go to Hilarie's apartment with three men to rob him later in the evening.

"Given the way it worked out, it seemed like that's what she was intending to do," said Auburndale Deputy Chief Andy Ray. "Once she got home, they talked together, they worked out the details, and then they went back and committed the robbery."

Ray said the robbery ended with Hilarie being fatally shot. The suspects stole multiple items, including electronics, from his apartment.

The three men were identified as Andre Warner, 26; Gary Gray, 31, and Joshua Ellington, 26.

Police believe there's a possibility that Bustos has been involved in similar crimes linked to online dating websites.

"It's her comfort with the way this went. It didn't seem like it would have been the first time," Ray said.

Hilarie was an Auburndale native and an aspiring boxer. His loved ones said he was also a great father.

"You see picture after picture, just him and her. That was his heart, you know, and we know that's her hero. He's all of our hero right now," said Angel Cruz, Hilarie's brother.

Cruz and his family are now planning a funeral while trying to come to terms with the loss.

"He brought the best out of everyone," Cruz continued. "I just hate that my brother had to be the one to be an example. I would hope that people can learn from this and just really take care of themselves and be really careful."

All of the suspects are facing multiple charges including first-degree murder and robbery.