Backstreet Boys’ Brian Littrell Sues Woman Over Beach Trespassing

Brian Littrell, a member of the iconic music group the Backstreet Boys, has filed a lawsuit against a woman for alleged trespassing on his private beach in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. The singer, along with his wife, Leighanne Littrell, accuses Carolyn Barrington Hill of repeatedly entering their property without permission and causing disturbances throughout the summer.

The civil lawsuit, which seeks damages of $50,000, was filed in September 2023. According to court documents, Hill, aged 67, has been accused of “antagonizing, bullying, and harassing” the Littrell family since late April. The couple asserts that despite putting up numerous “no trespassing” signs and setting up barriers like chairs and umbrellas, their efforts have been ineffective in keeping Hill off their property.

Brian Littrell, aged 50, and his wife claim that Hill not only set up her own beach furniture on their land but also “shouted and cursed” at their property manager when asked to leave. They further allege that she recorded them without their consent and encouraged others to join her in trespassing. In response to these incidents, the Littrells hired private security to safeguard their property but eventually sought assistance from the Walton County Sheriff’s Office.

In a separate lawsuit filed by Littrell’s company, BLB Beach Hut LLC, against the sheriff’s office, they argue that the department failed to uphold their private property rights. The documents note that Hill’s behavior has regularly disrupted the peace of the Littrell residence, with the couple stating that “numerous trespassers” have defied the law by encroaching on their property.

The legal complexities around beach access in Florida play a significant role in this dispute. The state constitution designates all land seaward of the mean high-water line as public, including the wet sand. However, the dry sand above this line is often privately owned, leading to confusion over property rights in coastal areas.

In May 2023, an incident involving Hill was captured on video, showing her becoming upset after being asked to vacate her spot on the sand. During this encounter, a deputy attempted to mediate, stating that he did not personally agree with the concept of private beaches and suggested she move to a different location. Hill then claimed the Littrells and their property manager had threatened her, mentioning an electric drill in her statement to the deputy.

The property manager confirmed that there had been an altercation involving the drill but clarified that it was not intended as a weapon. Hill has since filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit against her, arguing that the complaint is “facially deficient” and seeks to infringe on her constitutional right to access the beach in Walton County.

A hearing regarding this case is scheduled for next month. Following the filing of the lawsuit against the sheriff’s office, a representative for Littrell stated, “All Brian and his family want is what anyone would want, the right to peaceful enjoyment of their property.” They emphasized that the Littrells are not seeking to harm anyone but merely wish to reclaim their property and ensure compliance with the law.

As this legal battle unfolds, both parties will present their cases in court, highlighting the tensions surrounding property rights and public access to beaches in Florida.