Nicholas Hare, a 34-year-old white male from Jacksonville, Florida, tragically lost his life on August 28, 2015. Nicholas, who was affectionately known as Nic, was nearing the completion of his engineering degree at the University of North Florida (UNF) and had been a consistent presence on the Dean's List. He was deeply loved by his family and friends, and his untimely death left a significant void in their lives.
The circumstances surrounding Nicholas Hare's death were both shocking
and tragic. On the night of August 28, 2015, Jarod Miller, a 35-year-old man from Pensacola, broke into the home of Lindsey Varner, Nicholas's girlfriend, on Gibson Road in Jacksonville. Miller, who had previously been in a long-term relationship with Varner, had been struggling to cope with their breakup, which had occurred three years prior. Despite the end of their relationship, Miller had continued to maintain contact with Varner.
On that fateful night, Miller shot through the glass of a door to gain entry into Varner's home. He proceeded to the bedroom where Varner and Nicholas were. Upon hearing the commotion, Nicholas got up, only to be shot in the head by Miller. After the shooting, Miller turned the gun on himself in an attempted suicide but survived. He was subsequently arrested and charged with murder, armed burglary, and shooting into an occupied dwelling.
The legal proceedings that followed saw Jarod Miller pleading guilty to second-degree murder and armed burglary. His plea resulted in a minimum mandatory sentence of 40 years in state prison. The case highlighted the tragic consequences of unresolved emotional turmoil and the devastating impact it can have on the lives of others. Nicholas Hare's death was a profound loss to his family, friends, and the UNF community, where he was remembered as a bright and passionate student.
