WEST PALM BEACH – A Florida man who has been arrested for allegedly murdering an unarmed golfer told the court during his arraignment that he was the target of witchcraft but doesn’t provide any explanation.
On November 25, 2024, a 36-year-old West Palm Beach man allegedly attacked and killed a golfer with a golf club at the Sandhill Crane Golf Club.
Junior Boucher was arrested for the crimes and now faces a first-degree murder charge for the death of 65-year-old Brian Hiltebeitel.
According to the Palm Beach Gardens Police Department (PBGPD), officers responded to multiple 911 calls around 1:22 p.m. reporting a violent altercation at the public golf course, located at 11401 Northlake Boulevard. When police arrived, they discovered Hiltebeitel’s body near a pond by the first hole.
One witness mentioned in the police report was playing golf with two others on the first hole and recounted hearing shouting and seeing Hiltebeitel screaming, “He’s trying to kill me!” The witness described to CBS news that Boucher was swinging a golf club at the unarmed victim, striking him multiple times. After a brief separation, Boucher retrieved another golf club and chased Hiltebeitel toward a nearby pond.
The confrontation escalated when both men ended up in the fairway pond. Witnesses reported seeing Boucher on top of Hiltebeitel, choking him until he stopped moving. Despite Hiltebeitel’s apparent lack of resistance, Boucher reportedly struck him in the head again with a golf club after leaving the pond.
When officers retrieved Hiltebeitel’s body, they noted deep lacerations to the back of his head and injuries across his body. Despite efforts to save his life, he was pronounced dead at the scene, Palm Beach Gardens Fire Rescue pronounced him dead at the scene.
Authorities stated that Boucher appeared to have no clear motive for the attack. “At this time, it does not appear that Boucher had any legitimate reason to be at the golf course,” Police Chief Dominick Pape said during a news conference on Tuesday afternoon.
Junior Boucher [PBSO]
“This appears to be a random act of violence where Boucher used the victim’s golf clubs as weapons and viciously attacked the victim, ultimately killing him,” Chief Pape stated. “At this time, it does not appear that Boucher had any legitimate purpose for being at the golf course.”
Witnesses said Boucher stripped off his clothes after the attack and walked away before police intervened. Officers apprehended Boucher as he fled the scene, using a Taser to subdue him. Boucher was taken to Palm Beach Medical Center for evaluation according to police reports where “he immediately stated that he wanted a lawyer.”
Chief Pape said investigators are still working to determine a motive. “We’re still looking through the leads, still interviewing people at the scene. We don’t know yet,” he told reporters.
Boucher’s initial court appearance last Tuesday added a twist to the case. “I truly believe that I was a victim of witchcraft,” he stated during the hearing. He offered no additional explanation for the remark. However, the mere mention of witchcraft has attracted media attention worldwide.
What is now clear is that Boucher’s family was concerned about his mental health.
Pape stated that Boucher’s family had reported him missing to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office approximately an hour before the attack. According to a missing person report, his mother informed authorities that he had been Baker Acted and might have bipolar disorder. She stated, “Lately, he hasn’t been himself, and today he wasn’t in his right mind.”
Experts consistently say that the identification of mental health issues and proper treatment are crucial.
“Approximately two-thirds of people will experience anxiety or depression at some point in their lives, and it seems to have skyrocketed in our society recently,” said Dr. Philip Henry, a licensed psychologist in Florida and Professor of Counseling at Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach in an interview with West Palm CW34. He highlighted a critical shortage of mental health professionals principally because of lack of pay.
Paige Stanton, a registered mental health counseling intern and executive director of UF Health St. Johns Care Connect in St. Augustine, echoed the concern to West Palm CW34. “The demand for mental health services has risen significantly, especially since COVID,” Stanton said. “There simply aren’t enough psychologists, psychiatrists, counselors, or social workers to meet the growing need.”
Boucher is currently being held without bond on the first-degree murder charge. Authorities have not yet determined a clear motive for the attack.
A representative from the Palm Beach County jail confirmed that Boucher was being held without bond on Wednesday afternoon. Boucher’s initial case conference is scheduled for late January 2025.
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