Golf Attack Leads to Incompetency Ruling in Palm Beach

Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, September 30, 2025

News Summary

In a shocking incident at a golf club, Junior Boucher was found incompetent to stand trial for the murder of Brian Hiltebeitel. The attack, deemed random, escalated after a confrontation on the golf course. Witnesses described Boucher attacking Hiltebeitel with a golf club, leading to his tragic death. The ruling raises important questions about mental health and its interplay with the legal system, emphasizing the need for a deeper understanding of such issues in serious criminal cases.

Palm Beach Gardens, Florida – Junior Boucher, 36, was found incompetent to stand trial for the first-degree murder of 65-year-old Brian Hiltebeitel. This determination was made by Palm Beach Judge Donald Hafele on September 17, based on the findings of two doctors’ reports regarding Boucher’s mental health. Following the ruling, Boucher has been committed to the Department of Children and Families for placement in a mental health treatment facility.

The murder occurred on November 25, 2024, at Sandhill Crane Golf Club, where witnesses reported seeing Boucher attack Hiltebeitel with a golf club. According to reports, multiple 911 calls alerted police to the scene, where officers discovered Hiltebeitel’s body on the fairway of the club’s first hole, exhibiting multiple deep lacerations.

Witness accounts describe an escalated confrontation, with Boucher swinging a golf club at Hiltebeitel, who was unarmed. During the struggle, both men fell to the ground, and Boucher continued to hit Hiltebeitel with the club. The attack reached a climax when Boucher chased Hiltebeitel towards a pond, where he reportedly choked Hiltebeitel and struck him repeatedly in the head with the golf club after he had stopped moving.

After the violent incident, Boucher stripped off his clothes and attempted to flee the scene before being taken into custody by law enforcement. Hiltebeitel was pronounced dead at the scene. Initial investigations suggest that the attack was random, as the two men did not know each other prior to the incident.

Boucher has a significant criminal history, with records going back to at least 2006, including arrests for drug-related offenses and domestic battery. In contrast, Hiltebeitel was remembered fondly by his girlfriend, Dina Lauro, as a positive and exciting individual. On the day of his murder, he was celebrating his life and was known to reside in West Palm Beach; he previously hailed from the Philadelphia area where he partnered with Lauro to run a vegan deli.

Hiltebeitel is survived by his daughters, Kelsey, Savannah, and Danielle, with their mother listed as Heather Hiltebeitel. Police revealed that Boucher’s family had reported him missing about an hour before the incident, and court records indicate a history of eviction notices filed against him by family members.

Key Details of the Incident

• Incident Date: November 25, 2024
• Location: Sandhill Crane Golf Club, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
• Murder Victim: Brian Hiltebeitel, age 65
• Accused: Junior Boucher, age 36
• Court Ruling: Boucher found incompetent to stand trial
• Investigation Findings: The attack considered random; Hiltebeitel unarmed

Background Information

Brian Hiltebeitel worked closely with his girlfriend to run a vegan deli and was a cherished family man remembered fondly by his loved ones. Boucher’s extended criminal history raises concerns, as he had previously been involved in several legal troubles before this incident at the golf club. The events of that day have sparked deeper discussions about mental health and public safety.

Impact of the Ruling

The decision to deem Boucher incompetent to stand trial highlights the intersection of mental health and the legal system. Experts note that this ruling may affect how justice is served in the future, especially for individuals with mental illness involved in serious crimes.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Additional Resources

• Philadelphia Magazine
• Wikipedia: Murder in the United States
• Philly Burbs
• Google Search: Florida Golf Course Attack
• NBC Miami
• Google Scholar: Mental Health Legal System
• 6abc
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Crime
• NBC Philadelphia
• Google News: Golf Club Murder

Author: STAFF HERE PHILADELPHIA WRITER

PHILADELPHIA STAFF WRITER The PHILADELPHIA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREPhiladelphia.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Mummers Parade, Philadelphia Flower Show, and Thanksgiving Day Parade. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Greater Philadelphia, plus leading businesses in telecommunications, food services, and healthcare that power the local economy such as Comcast, Aramark, and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Pennsylvania's dynamic landscape.