KEY WEST, FL – A Florida woman has been handed a 40-year prison sentence for the fatal shooting of her partner in their Florida Keys home, marking the conclusion of a case that revealed a toxic spiral fueled by alcohol.
Brittany Nicole Holbrook, 35, was found guilty of second-degree murder for the death of Tyler Kinnon Nulisch, 30, after a jury conviction earlier in February.
Nulisch’s life ended tragically on June 17, 2023, when he was shot in the lower back. At the scene, he managed to utter, “The b—- shot me in the back,” to his roommate, highlighting the sudden and lethal turn their relationship had taken.
Though Holbrook claimed that she shot Nulisch in self-defense, stating he had choked her, deputies found no evidence to support her allegations. Notably, there were no visible injuries on Holbrook, countering her statements about a struggle.
Friends and acquaintances were acquainted with the seemingly loving dynamics of the couple. One friend described them as having appeared deeply in love, often perceived by others as the “perfect couple.” However, this idyllic image shattered when Holbrook consumed alcohol, which reportedly transformed her demeanor drastically.
Prior interactions revealed a concerning pattern of behavior. According to a friend, Holbrook’s personality would shift ominously with alcohol consumption, becoming uncontrollably aggressive and abusive towards Nulisch. Another friend recounted an alarming outburst from Holbrook two days before the murder, where she graphically threatened violence against an ex-boyfriend.
On the night of Nulisch’s murder, the couple had been drinking with a roommate. After the roommate went to bed, Holbrook’s screams echoed through the house. This chilling scene unfolded with tragic finality, leaving Nulisch mortally wounded and casting Holbrook into a legal battle that concluded with her conviction and sentencing.
As part of her sentence, Holbrook received credit for 665 days of time already served. This case underscores the devastating impact of substance abuse on personal relationships and how it can escalate to irreversible violence.
