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Melissa Rose Turner was convicted of second-degree murder in the death of Matthew Trussler at their Riverview, Florida, home and sentenced to 20 years and 6 months in prison. The jury returned its verdict on February 18, 2022, and Circuit Judge Samantha Ward imposed the sentence on March 18, 2022. The term was also reported as 20 years. Members of Trussler's family spoke at sentencing, and Turner said she had lost a man she loved. Ward said the jury did not believe Turner's claims of self-defense, "nor does this court."

Turner, 26, a cosplay model, lived with Trussler, 25, in Riverview, in Hillsborough County. They met on Tinder in April 2017. Turner told police they were engaged; accounts described Trussler as her fiance or boyfriend. The couple argued at home in the early morning of October 18, 2019, and Trussler was stabbed. The medical examiner tied his death to a deep cut on his right arm. He also had a large wound to his back consistent with a stab wound, a large cut to his chest, a small cut to his right shoulder and a defensive wound on his right forearm. Turner had a cut on her hand.

A camera inside the house recorded their movements. A neighbor's camera across the street captured no video of the incident but recorded audio of the argument. Turner called 911 at about 8:45 a.m., saying Trussler was not responsive and that she had woken to find him bloody and outside. She said they had been drinking and had gone to bed drunk. Trussler was found dead in the backyard, near the pool.

Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office detectives questioned Turner at the sheriff's office a few hours after the call. She was still wearing latex gloves an officer had given her at the scene. Turner initially said they had been having a great time, that she slept in a big chair in her downstairs office and that she did not remember an argument. She suggested glass caused her hand injury; a detective told her it did not. A detective canvassing the neighborhood found the neighbor's audio, which captured a voice that sounded like a woman's yelling a phrase ending in "die." Asked about it, Turner said she had no memory of an argument. She later said she cut her hand grabbing a knife out of Trussler's hand. She asked for a lawyer after saying she recalled angering him and that things escalated.

Turner was arrested on October 18, 2019, and charged with second-degree murder with a weapon. She was released on bail. On November 4, 2019, she pleaded not guilty and a public defender was appointed.

The trial began February 14, 2022, before Ward. Prosecutors Katherine Fand and Chinwe Fossett tried the case. Defense attorney John Trevena argued self-defense and called a former FBI audio expert, who testified that parts of the neighbor's recording had been volume enhanced. Prosecutors denied any manipulation. On February 17, 2022, Turner testified that Trussler grabbed her by the neck during the fight and that she stabbed him once in the back to get him off her. She said she could not explain the cut to his arm.

Turner appealed. On August 16, 2024, Florida's Second District Court of Appeal affirmed the conviction in a per curiam decision (No. 2D2022-1029). Florida Department of Corrections records current as of October 25, 2026, list her in custody at the Florida Women's Reception Center with a projected release date of January 20, 2042, subject to change.

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Part 2 of 3 of the recording described above.

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Part 3 of 3 of the recording described above.