Florida Woman Sentenced to Life for Murdering Husband's Great-Grandfather

Britney Andrus killed 88-year-old James Little so she could run off with her boyfriend to Michigan.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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Britney Andrus, 29, was sentenced to life in prison for the 2020 beating death of her husband's 88-year-old great-grandfather, James Little, at his Sebring, Florida home. Andrus and her boyfriend, Tyler Best, 25, planned to steal from Little's home, including his car and jewelry, and then travel to Michigan to live with Andrus' grandmother. Andrus was found guilty of second-degree murder, burglary, and grand theft of a motor vehicle, while Best previously pleaded guilty to the same charges and testified against Andrus at her trial.

Why it matters

This case highlights the tragic consequences of a violent crime committed for personal gain, as well as the importance of holding perpetrators accountable for their actions. The murder of an elderly man in his own home has deeply impacted the victim's family and the local community.

The details

Andrus and Best were living in a mother-in-law suite attached to Little's home. In the days leading up to the slaying, they hatched a plan to steal from Little's home, including his car and jewelry that had belonged to his late wife. On October 22, 2020, Andrus ran to a neighbor's house and claimed she had just found Little unconscious in his bedroom. He was rushed to a hospital, where he died five days later. Investigators found that Little's bedroom was in disarray, with open drawers and missing jewelry boxes, and his car and wallet with $1,500 in cash had been stolen. An autopsy concluded that Little died of blunt force trauma to the head, having been struck 12 times with an unknown object.

  • On October 22, 2020, Andrus ran to a neighbor's house and claimed she had just found Little unconscious in his bedroom.
  • Little was rushed to a hospital, where he died five days later on October 27, 2020.

The players

Britney Andrus

A 29-year-old Florida woman who was found guilty of second-degree murder, burglary, and grand theft of a motor vehicle for the 2020 beating death of her husband's 88-year-old great-grandfather, James Little.

Tyler Best

Andrus' 25-year-old boyfriend who previously pleaded guilty to the same charges as Andrus and testified against her at her trial.

James Little

The 88-year-old victim who was beaten to death in his Sebring, Florida home.

Joshua Little

The victim's grandson who spoke at the sentencing hearing, saying his grandfather "loved helping people" and that Andrus "stole his life and his dignity."

John Kromholz

The prosecutor in the case who said the case was not about Andrus' past history but about her "brutally murdering an elderly man as he lay in bed while she was high on drugs."

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What they’re saying

“He was 88 years old when his life was stolen from him during the golden years of his life. I know this is a case of homicide but it is also about theft. Britney stole his life and his dignity. In his final moments I can't imagine how alone he felt, calling out for my grandmother who was no longer there.”

— Joshua Little, Victim's Grandson (Highlands News-Sun)

“That's why she's a danger.”

— John Kromholz, Prosecutor (Highlands News-Sun)

“I told her I wanted nothing to do with it. It was a big argument, I packed a suitcase and left.”

— Tyler Best (Highlands News-Sun)

“She said, 'I did it, I did it.' I thought she killed this man. I saw blood on her collar.”

— Tyler Best (Highlands News-Sun)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Britney Andrus to appeal her life sentence.

The takeaway

This tragic case underscores the devastating impact of violent crime and the importance of holding perpetrators accountable, even in the face of mental health challenges. It serves as a sobering reminder of the need for comprehensive support systems to prevent such senseless acts of violence.