Barney Michael Rycyk, a 56-year-old white male, was brutally murdered on November 14, 1973, during a robbery at the Durands Motel in Union Park, Florida. Rycyk, who had recently relocated from Pennsylvania and invested his life savings into the motel business with his brother Stanley, was attacked by two intruders. The assailants, identified as 36-year-old Thomas Mattingly and Cecil Henry Floyd, bludgeoned Rycyk 66 times with a claw hammer, resulting in his death. After the attack, they stole $20 and attempted to flee the scene.
Stanley Rycyk, returning from a shopping trip, encountered the perpetrators as they were leaving. They falsely claimed that Barney was showing them a room. Suspicious, Stanley insisted on verifying with his brother. As he turned to check, the men fled in their vehicle. Stanley discovered his brother's body in the office bathroom and promptly alerted the authorities, providing a description of the suspects and their vehicle's license plate. This information was crucial in the subsequent investigation.
Cecil Henry Floyd and Thomas Mattingly were apprehended and faced charges for their involvement in the murder. In March 1975, Mattingly was convicted for his role in the crime and sentenced to life imprisonment, avoiding the death penalty due to the jury's recommendation. Floyd, who had a history of violent crimes, including multiple murders across several states, pleaded guilty to the charges in January 1975. He received multiple life sentences for his crimes and died in prison on June 17, 2011.
Barney Rycyk's death was a tragic event that highlighted the dangers faced by small business owners. His commitment to building a new life in Florida was cut short by a senseless act of violence. The swift action by his brother Stanley and the subsequent investigation ensured that justice was served for this heinous crime.
