Parents Say Nienhuis Allowed Murderer to Walk Free to Protect Political Career

SPRING HILL, FL – For most, the holidays are a time of joy and spending time with loved ones, but for the Ptarscinski family, it's a painful reminder of how their beloved 18-year-old daughter Arianna was brutally murdered inside their own home on Christmas Eve 2021.

Born and raised in Spring Hill, FL, Arianna had her whole life ahead of her. She graduated with honors from Central High School, worked part-time, and was preparing to start college after the holidays. Arianna's parents, Eddie and Judy Ptarcinski, say although she was quiet and reserved, she enjoyed thrifting, riding roller coasters, and searching for seashells on the beach. In her spare time, Arianna loved to express herself through drawing, and she was quite good, according to her parents. Sadly, Arianna's life would be cut short on the evening of December 24, 2021, when she was brutally murdered while her parents and younger sister prepared for bed. FULL STORY

The suspect in Arianna's murder was not a would-be burglar, stalker, or stranger at all; he was her own boyfriend, Ramon Calderon-Durst, who was spending the evening with her.

Durst was not only the last person to see Arianna alive, he practically admitted to committing the heinous act while sitting in the back of a patrol car. At the conclusion of the ensuing interrogation, and while still wearing a shirt soaked in Arianna's blood, detectives with the Hernando County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) found no probable cause to charge Durst, and he was allowed to walk free. Video of the interview even shows Durst appearing baffled at the decision.

Despite the Medical Examiner ruling the case a homicide and stating that Arianna's death was "at the hands of another," HCSO closed the case and refused to investigate further, but after several media outlets demanded answers, HCSO reopened the case so that no further statements or evidence could be released to the public. Many believe this was a political decision made by Sheriff Al Nienhuis so that he would not have to answer questions over what many believe was a botched investigation. Arianna's case was receiving a lot of media attention in 2022 and 2023, while Nienhuis was preparing for the 2024 election.

Sheriff Al Nienhuis

Eddie and Judy told R News earlier this week that since their daughter's murder, Nienhuis has never contacted them to share his condolences or offer any assistance at all. Nienhuis used to show up at homicide investigations to speak with the media, but for some reason, he avoided Arianna's case from the beginning.

When the family asked officials why they bothered reopening the case and what new evidence they expected to again, they were told that if Durst talked to someone about the case, then he could be charged. But that made no sense to the Ptarcinski family because he's already "admitted" to her murder, and there are no other suspects.

Murder suspects in Florida are prosecuted and often found guilty of the charge, even with far less evidence than in Arianna's case, and most of the time without an admission of guilt.

Nienhuis went on to win reelection in the 2024 Primary, but with only 20% of registered voter turnout, most of those being out-of-state mail-in ballots and early voters. Even though Nienhuis prevailed, over 40% voted for his opponent, Joe Puglia.

Eddie and Judy say Nienhuis is a corrupt politician who only cares about his political career and that he would do anything to protect his reputation, even if it means letting their daughter's murderer walk free.

The Ptarcinski family has vowed never to give up fighting for Justice for their daughter.