A mural painted Wednesday, May 5, 2021 on a city wall in Gainesville, Florida, honors the lives of youth baseball players Rex Reinhart, 14, and Brody Reinhart, 11, who were believed killed by their father, Paul O. Reinhart, 46, on May 4, 2021 . Rex, the boys older brother, was on the top bunks mattress. In 2018, Erick Reinhart was sentenced to 40 years in prison for the slaying of Alex Iliff, though he claimed his defense attorney was not effective and that Paul Reinhart had found important evidence the lawyer had missed. When Minde Reinhart arrived at her former home in Gainesville, it was empty of people and the familys dog. On May 4, Alachua County Sheriffs deputies began searching for Paul Reinhart and Dixie County Sheriffs deputies later found him and his two sons dead in the house. He is serving a 40-year sentence in a Florida prison. Paul Reinhart has left friends, family and loved ones heart-broken as the news surrounding the death of Paul Reinhart was announced. Paul Reinhart Obituary Gainesville FL / Death : We mourn with the family of Paul Reinhart, we understand how disheartening they could be right now, so we are sending our thoughts and prayers to the affected ones. Minde Reinhart, 42, had raced through darkness to the luxury home in a gated community in Gainesville where she lived until recently with her husband and sons. Rex was shot in the head and the back of his neck. Is you changed your life insurance policies so I dont get any f***ing money, according to the sheriffs office report. When the Senate voted, she broke into tears in the Capitol as her mother, Tammy Prince, put her arm around her to comfort her. Her husband wasnt answering, she said, and he had changed his computers password so she wasnt able to track his phone online. Alachua and Dixie deputies communicated and a Dixie deputy said he was 20 minutes away from the home at 7:03 a.m. but it was too late. 49, as seen in this undated prison photograph from the Florida Department of . Most media coverage then focused on the disclosure that Reinhart had shot the boys, without graphic descriptions. Please come home.. Ron DeSantis signing the law once it passes the full Legislature, as is expected on Thursday. It also brought attention to the need to look out for the mental health of friends and family. This was just the biggest birthday gift that I could ever imagine, Minde OSullivan said. It gives me a purpose. The morning of the murders, Paul Reinhart emailed her a message that read, You got your wish and you can keep the millions. Attached to the email was an audio recording Reinhart made of the two arguing. Meanwhile, Pauls older brother Erick Von Reinhart, 49, sits in a Florida prison as a convicted murderer in a crime with eerie parallels: Erick was arrested in 2014 after fatally stabbing his ex-wifes new boyfriend just one week after their divorce then trying to take his own life with a large kitchen knife. Please come home. He didn't respond. The sides settled their probate fight in July, according to court records. But on the way out, Brody didnt shut the door. The new reports said Reinhart shot both sons before he shot himself and set the fire. Sheriffs investigators also believed Paul Reinhart didnt have a gun, based on their review of recent firearms transactions. She found her sons cell phones in the home, so she knew she had no way of contacting them directly or tracking their location. Minde OSullivans charity, which raised $82,222 last year, pays for baseball facility improvements and sponsors local teams to compete in national tournaments. A final report covering the criminal investigation by two sheriffs offices and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement in the case has been mysteriously delayed for months. New details of the horrific crime and the minute-by-minute race to try to find and save the boys are emerging in official reports from four law enforcement and fire rescue agencies across two Florida counties. The bills were sponsored by two Alachua County lawmakers: Rep. Charles Chuck Clemons, R-Newberry, and Sen. Keith Perry, R-Gainesville. It would also cover evidence of deaths of children in cases that may have been handled or mishandled by government regulators, such as Floridas Department of Children and Families. Copyright 2021 WCJB. She still attends high school games, she said, and stays in contact with her sons teammates. Fidelity said it stopped payment on the $4 million in checks it had sent to Minde Reinhart. A family member phoned in the request after Paul posted a series of "cryptic" Facebook updates . Its new lawsuit named both Mrs. Reinhart and Konrad Reinhart as defendants. Im so happy that I put my phone down all the time and didnt return texts and emails, she said. Will DeSantis have to resign to run for president? Watch the Florida Legislature live: The Florida Channel, a public affairs programming service funded by the Legislature, livestreams coverage at thefloridachannel.org. WUSF Public Media - WUSF 89.7 | Minde O'Sullivan, 44, of Gainesville said her new marriage to the University of Florida baseball coach, Kevin OSullivan, and a non-profit foundation she created in honor of her boys, Rex Reinhart, 14, and Brody Reinhart, 11, have given her a new purpose in life. Minde O'Sullivan's estranged husband, Paul Otto Reinhart, 46, fatally shot the couple's sons in May 2021 at the family's waterfront vacation home then set the house on fire and killed himself. This story was produced by Fresh Take Florida, a news service of the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications. Authorities say the boys were killed by their father, 46-year-old Paul Reinhart, on May 4 before he set fire to their Dixie County home and killed himself. Reinhart disappeared with the boys the morning of May 4 after publishing 64 photos from his wedding to his Facebook page at 5 a.m., then texting Mrs. Reinhart a message about their marriage. Minde O'Sullivan, right, reacts in Tallahassee, Florida, to passage of a Senate bill on April 11, 2023, that would ban the public release of autopsy reports for minors killed by domestic violence, in a screenshot from the Senate floor vote on the Florida Channel. Those seeking help are encouraged to call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255. When a firefighter could get in, he found one of the sons in a bunk bed Brody. The text message from her estranged husband arrived at 5:39 a.m., even as Minde Reinhart was already on the phone with a sheriffs dispatcher pleading for help and searching for answers. Paul Reinhart, 46, is suspected of killing his sons, Rex, 14, and Brody, 11, setting fire to the familys waterfront vacation home in western Florida then killing himself. A community service was held at the University of Florida baseball stadium. Early Tuesday morning deputies responded to a family member's request to check on a home in the 10000 block of SW 27th Avenue in Gainesville due to disturbing texts and social media posts by Paul Reinhart. He said it would have prevented young friends of Rex and Brody learning graphic details online about the deaths of the boys. This year, the Senate version passed on April 11, Minde OSullivans birthday. Court records in the new lawsuit revealed that Reinhart a former medical device sales executive attempted to change two, term-life insurance policies on April 26 to prevent his wife, Minde Reinhart, 42, from collecting any of the money upon his death. His loss is profound and we are reeling.. If you havent already subscribed, please consider buying a print or digital subscription. It was so emotional.. The new autopsy reports were significant because they revealed for the first time that Paul Otto Reinhart, 46, of Gainesville used a firearm in the crimes. Youre going to live with this the rest of your life.. Related story: Developing: Gainesville father and sons presumed dead in suspected murder/suicide in Dixie County. The bills were sponsored by two Alachua County lawmakers: Rep. Charles Chuck Clemons, R-Newberry, and Sen. Keith Perry, R-Gainesville. Throughout the night, the audience cycled through laughter, smiles and tears. Their two sons, Rex and Brody, were youth baseball players in the area, and the family wasfriends with University of Florida baseball coach Kevin O'Sullivan. Because of two kids like that, that you make an impression on, and you can change their lives for the better.. Paul Reinhart, a popular, gregarious figure across social and political circles, is suspected of killing his sons, Rex, 14, and Brody, 11, earlier this week, then starting a fire at his familys waterfront vacation home near Suwannee before killing himself, too. Then, at 6:23 a.m., deputy Steven Pillar heard that Paul Reinharts van was at the vacation house in Dixie County, a sprawling waterfront home with a jet ski dock out back. To keep up with the latest local news subscribe to our TV20 newsletter HERE and receive news straight to your email every morning. Founder and coach Stephen Barton said Brodys energy and drive on the field was unparalleled, and he never backed down from any challenge. After the murders, Minde OSullivan settled a federal lawsuit with Konrad Reinhart last summer over the $4 million. She was on 911 with a dispatcher when she responded: Please don't hurt yourself or the boys. After family murders, suicide, Florida nears, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), After family murders, suicide, Florida nears passage of bill to shield kids autopsy details, Condemned Florida killer asks U.S. Supreme Court for reprieve, Key things to know about Floridas pending abortion ruling, DeSantis oversight board votes to sue Disney, Known for laughs, White House Correspondents dinner takes a turn and spotlights risks to journalism, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Neither had evidence of carbon monoxide in their blood, and soot was not detected in their lungs. After he was sentenced, Erick complained to the judge that his defense lawyer had been ineffective, saying his brother had uncovered important information she had missed during the discovery phase of the court case. Minde OSullivan made clear to lawmakers she did not want to learn details of her sons tragic deaths in a case that generated public interest across Florida because it would be too upsetting. Minde OSullivan made clear to lawmakers she did not want to learn details of her sons tragic deaths in a case that generated public interest across Florida because it would be too upsetting. The bills would ban the public release of autopsy reports for minors killed by domestic violence and also ban release of photographs, audio or video, such as police body camera recordings or in reports by child abuse investigators, in cases when a minor is killed, no matter the circumstances. Minde OSullivans estranged husband, Paul Otto Reinhart, 46, fatally shot the couples sons in May 2021 at the familys waterfront vacation home in western Florida then set the house on fire and killed himself. The Cross City incident has parallels to a 2014 case involving Paul Reinhart's brother. WUSF 89.7 depends on donors for the funding it takes to provide you the most trusted source of news and information here in town, across our state, and around the world. Clemons said he looks forward to Gov. Support WUSF now by giving monthly, or make a one-time donation online. The reporter can be reached at carissa.allen@freshtakeflorida.com. The bills would also ban release of photographs, audio or video in all cases when a minor is killed by anyone, not just in domestic violence crimes. Reinhart . Think about the psychological impact and the hurt it has not only for those young boys but for the surviving parents, the grandparents, the friends, the close-knit community it's all out there and it's out there forever, Clemons said. Some details about Reinharts actions and interactions with Minde OSullivan ahead of the murders have not been previously reported. Earlier reporting raised significant questions about why authorities werent able to track Reinhart more quickly after he disappeared with his sons and why law enforcement believed he did not own a gun. The men have at least three other brothers: Karl Wilhelm Reinhart, 47, of Tampa; Konrad Rolf Reinhart, 44, of Gainesville; and Kaiser Wilhelm Reinhart, 43, of Chula Vista, California. Fresh Take Florida. Erick Reinhart was sent 29 months ago to Calhoun Correctional Institution west of Tallahassee after he pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in Pasco County, near Tampa. He did not list any bank accounts, investments or other assets. Rex made an immediate impact on the team and in the lives of his teammates, both on and off the field. Eight days before the murders, Reinhart filed paperwork to change two life insurance policies to keep his wife from collecting money after his death. In a statement on May 8, Minde Pierce Reinhart, the wife of Paul Reinhart, and her family thanked the community for its support and urged those dealing with depression or mental health issues to seek help. The report also confirms that Paul did indeed commit suicide. Teammates, opponents and baseball enthusiasts dressed in team shirts and hats. After family murders and suicide, Florida nears passage of a bill to shield kids' autopsy details. Erick Von Reinhart, 49, pleaded guilty to fatally stabbing his ex-wifes new boyfriend just one week after their divorce then trying to take his own life with a large kitchen knife. When the Senate voted, she broke into tears in the Capitol as her mother, Tammy Prince, put her arm around her to comfort her. I was unaware he bought one two weeks prior, she said in a recent interview. Meanwhile, her sons legacy may be legislation The Rex and Brody Act that is so far sailing through the state Legislature. Minde OSullivan, 44, of Gainesville said her new marriage to the University of Florida baseball coach, Kevin OSullivan, and a nonprofit foundation she created in honor of her boys, Rex Reinhart, 14, and Brody Reinhart, 11, have given her a new purpose in life. Minde OSullivans estranged husband, Paul Otto Reinhart, 46, fatally shot the couples sons in May 2021 at the familys waterfront vacation home in western Florida then set the house on fire and killed himself. It gives me a purpose. You never know.. Reisha Brown, a 37-year-old mother to a Florida Hardballers player, met the family through travel baseball. The reporter can be reached at thomasweber@ufl.edu, A group message had P.K. You changed your life insurance policies so I dont get any f***ing money, Minde OSullivan told Reinhart in a conversation that Reinhart apparently recorded, according to a sheriffs office report. "Tragedies such as what we are suffering now can and must be avoided. What happened over the next two hours was a tragedy beyond measure. Put your phones down. Separately, Paul Reinhart also updated his will 15 days before the murders to prevent his wife from receiving any assets after their 19 years of marriage. Paul Otto Reinhart, 46, was a successful executive of a medical device sales firm and living in a $900,000 home in Gainesville until his world began unraveling: He lost his job as president of his . The boys teammates huddled on the field and took their last photo with their friends jerseys now neatly laid out in a glass case to be memorialized. Law enforcement officials have yet to determine a cause of death. Court and investigative records showed that the murders happened after Reinhart learned about an extramarital affair, the two traded angry texts about her wishing her husband dead and he made moves to withhold the familys millions of dollars from her. Fresh Take Florida, a news service operated by the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications, considered the familys request at the highest levels of the college and decided to publish limited but relevant details from the new reports, which are government records available to anyone under state law. Paul Reinhart posted personal photos of his wedding and family without any details to his Facebook account as recently as 5 a.m. Tuesday. According to independent local news station WJXT, Alachua County Sheriff's Office deputies attempted to perform a wellness chec k on Paul Otto Reinhart, 46, and his sons Rex Reinhart, 14, and Brody Reinhart, 11, at around 6 a.m. Tuesday. Minde Prince Reinhart woke up at 6:30 a.m., cooked breakfast and watched SportsCenter with her sons every day. Clemons said he looks forward to Gov. The community is tight-knit because families bounce from city to city to watch their sons play baseball. You're so selfish. They found an unspecified accelerant, perhaps gasoline. Please come home.. . It wasnt like he just snapped on a whim. Facebook. After this family tragedy, the Reinharts started the Rex and Brody Reinhart foundation. Alex Iliff, 33, died in the attack. Want more of our free, weekly newslettersinyourinbox? I do, but you know what sucks? Konrad Reinhart did not return a phone message left at his home. Fidelity wrote back to Reinhart in a letter dated April 30 saying it was unable to update his policies as requested because he failed to specify the city and state where he had signed the document, which was notarized in Gainesville. We need to figure out how to pitch like Rex and play like Brody forever, Barton said. Erick left his own children, then 5 and 6, home alone during the attack, authorities said. The family was prominent in Gainesvilles social and political circles, and Brody Reinhart regularly served as the unofficial batboy for the University of Florida baseball team. The reporters can be reached at awilder@freshtakeflorida.com and evelazquez@freshtakeflorida.com, Copyright 2021 WUSF Public Media - WUSF 89.7, PublishedNovember 21, 2021 at 8:00 AM EST. The family, which ran a lucrative medical device sales company, was prominent in the regions social and political circles. Firefighters arrived 19 minutes later, but the fire was too intense to enter the home. In court papers, the insurance company described itself as merely a disinterested stakeholder and said it was in danger of being exposed to multiple liability unless a judge rules in the case. That morning, sheriffs deputies scoured the region for the man and his boys. Reinhart is the younger brother of a convicted murderer who also tried to take his own life in a similarly violent household attack seven years ago. The bills were sponsored by two Alachua County lawmakers: Rep. Charles Chuck Clemons, R-Newberry, and Sen. Keith Perry, R-Gainesville. Clemons said he supports Floridas public records law, sometimes known as the Sunshine Law, because it shines a light on government programs and activities. The ban would cover accidents, such as car or boat crashes or cases when a child falls off an amusement park ride. She replied by text: Please dont hurt yourself or the boys. Kaiser and Karl Reinhart did not return messages sent to their Facebook accounts asking to discuss their brothers. At this time, law enforcement officials have not commented regarding Paul Reinhart's state of mind. What Im asking you to do today, with this bill, is to put into the shade the gory photographs, the descriptions, the videos, etc. I dont know, I dont know, I dont know. Paul Reinhart of Gainesville fatally shot his two sons and then shot himself, according to autopsies released Tuesday by the District Eight Medical Examiners Office. Brody was a fifth-grader at Lawton Chiles Elementary School and played baseball for Gatorball Academy. The bills would also ban release of photographs, audio or video in all cases when a minor is killed by anyone, not just in domestic violence crimes. Florida Senate passes controversial elections changes, Get Capitol Buzz, a special bonus edition of The Buzz with Emily L. Mahoney, each Saturday while the Legislature is meeting. of minors who have been murdered, he told lawmakers on the judiciary committee last month. Reinhart's social media posts alerted family to a potential problem, but the signs can be difficult to spot, according to one mental health expert. The case is the worst tragedy of its kind in the region since 2014, when Gilchrist County residentDon Spirit killed his daughter, her six children and himself. Click here to subscribe to our newsletter. He forced open the door and felt his way upstairs, where he searched one empty bedroom in vain before he found a pile of debris in front of a second bedroom door. It was unclear whether Reinhart received Fidelitys letter mailed from the companys life insurance offices in Atlanta before he fatally shot his sons and himself four days later. Eerie parallels: Man suspected of killing young sons, himself mirrors case of brother. Hes been depressed. You're going to live with this the rest of your life.". Its too late Father Texted Estranged Wife On Morning He Killed Sons, Himself, WUFT 89.1 / 90.1 Featured Thank you Gifts. While Minde OSullivan attended legislative hearings in Tallahassee, she also founded and focused her efforts on the Rex & Brody Foundation. The autopsy reports said Rex appeared to be shot with a 9 mm projectile, a caliber common to handguns. Now it's too late. A firefighter in protective gear wrote in his official report that he crawled through smoke so thick inside he couldnt see until he found the boys bodies on upstairs bunk beds. The new autopsy reports were significant because they revealed for the first time that Paul Otto Reinhart, 46, of Gainesville used a firearm in the crimes. Clemons said he supports Floridas public records law, sometimes known as the Sunshine Law, because it shines a light on government programs and activities. He suffered significant carbon monoxide exposure in his blood, tests showed. Tears swelled in Tracy Diggs eyes as she held her baby close in her arms. A local television station went further, detailing in a brief news article published on its website how many times and where on their bodies each boy was shot. Meanwhile, her sons legacy may be legislation The Rex and Brody Act that is so far sailing through the state Legislature. An Alachua County deputy had heard Paul Reinhart's van was at a vacation property he owned in Dixie County, 50 miles west, so sheriff's officials reached out to authorities there via teletype at 6:39 a.m. The teary-eyed audience burst into laughter as Muschamp recounted a time 5-year-old Brody waddled into his home. Photographs and videos taken during autopsies are already blocked from public view under existing Florida law. Minde Reinhart raced to the house she had until recently shared with Paul and their sons. The latest news and how to stay informed. Help is readily available. Meanwhile, she is trying to collect $10 million from her husbands estate. Most media coverage then focused on the disclosure that Reinhart had shot the boys, without graphic descriptions. Minde OSullivans estranged husband, Paul Otto Reinhart, 46, fatally shot the couples sons in May 2021 at the familys waterfront vacation home then set the house on fire and killed himself. She later said during a deposition in a related court dispute with Reinharts family that she had been unaware of Reinharts efforts to change his $4 million in life insurance policies. The changes by Reinhart named his sons as primary beneficiaries and one of his brothers, Konrad Reinhart of Gainesville, a secondary beneficiary if the boys died. It stressed that it was not attempting to keep the $4 million. After the murders, Minde OSullivan settled a federal lawsuit with Konrad Reinhart last summer over the $4 million.
Alisa Weilerstein Child,
Chicago Bombers Softball,
Helen Maravich Obituary,
Articles P
