The ex-husband of a missing Florida mother believed he had orchestrated the perfect crime, but her secret online journal unraveled his carefully constructed alibi and 𝓮𝔁𝓹𝓸𝓼𝓮𝓭 a gruesome murder that shocked even hardened investigators. Tricia Todd, a 33-year-old Air Force veteran and registered nurse, vanished without a trace in Hobe Sound, Florida, in May 2016, leaving behind her car, purse, and a two-year-old daughter named Faith.
For weeks, authorities were baffled by the disappearance of the vivacious young mother, who had recently moved back to Florida after an amicable divorce from her childhood sweetheart, Steven Williams. The case initially appeared to be a routine missing persons investigation, with no signs of foul play or struggle at her home.
Steven Williams, a respected career military man with an impeccable record, presented himself as a cooperative and grieving ex-husband. He told investigators that Tricia had visited him and their daughter on the night she disappeared, but claimed she had left to go home and never arrived. He even agreed to take a lie detector test, which came back inconclusive.
However, detectives soon uncovered a dark side to Williams that Tricia had documented in her private online journal. The journal entries revealed a history of domestic 𝓪𝓫𝓾𝓼𝓮 and a disturbing pattern of violence, including the killing of her beloved pets. Investigators learned that Williams had allegedly killed several of her animals, sometimes in her presence, as a means of asserting control.
The journal also detailed Tricia’s new relationship with a man she had met after the divorce, describing it as a “painful love 𝒶𝒻𝒻𝒶𝒾𝓇.” While this initially led detectives to investigate the new boyfriend, he was quickly cleared. It was Tricia’s own words that ultimately pointed the finger back at Williams.
As investigators peeled back the layers, they discovered a witness who saw Williams driving Tricia’s car on the night of her disappearance, a fact he had failed to mention. Security footage also showed him driving both her vehicle and his own, as well as a mysterious figure in military-style clothing carrying a large rucksack near her home.
Confronted with the mounting evidence, Williams finally confessed. He admitted to killing Tricia during an argument, claiming he punched her and she fell, hitting her head. But the truth was far more horrific. Investigators believe he actually strangled her before carrying out a meticulously planned disposal of her body.
Williams had purchased acid and tools in North Carolina before traveling to Florida, demonstrating premeditation. He dismembered Tricia’s body, placed the remains in a plastic container, filled it with acid, and buried it in the Hungry Land Wildlife Reserve. He even marked the shallow grave with a flag.
When authorities exhumed the container, they found only her torso. Teeth and fingertips, which Williams had removed to prevent identification, were scattered nearby. Divers later recovered a chainsaw and reciprocating saw from a canal, with her hair and remains still embedded in the blades.
The discovery of the mutilation tools and the acid bath shocked even seasoned law enforcement. Lieutenant Mike Dougherty stated that if they had known the full extent of the violence, Williams would likely be facing the death penalty instead of a 35-year plea deal.
Despite the horror, Tricia’s deeply religious family has found the strength to forgive Williams. Her brother Jonathan and his wife Chastity have adopted Faith, raising her alongside their own daughter. They speak of forgiveness and hope for the future, even as they grapple with the loss of a beloved sister and mother.
The case serves as a chilling reminder that the most dangerous predators often hide in plain sight, and that a victim’s own words can become the most powerful weapon against their killer. Tricia Todd’s journal, a testament to her vibrant life and hidden struggles, ultimately led to the conviction of the man who thought he had committed the perfect murder.
