The familiar harmonies of the Backstreet Boys echo still, but for Brian Littrell, a different kind of battle is unfolding – one fought not on stage, but on the sands of his Florida property.
Littrell has re-entered a legal dispute with Carolyn Barrington Hill, a 67-year-old retiree, alleging repeated trespassing on his $3.8 million Santa Rosa Beach estate. The core of the conflict: access to the beach bordering his home.
An initial lawsuit was dismissed on a technicality, with the judge ruling emotional distress couldn’t be claimed as damages. Undeterred, Littrell swiftly refiled, presenting seven new charges of trespassing spanning April to September of last year.
The singer asserts that Florida law restricts public beach access to the high tide line behind private residences. He claims Hill repeatedly ventured beyond this boundary, onto the dry sand at the rear of his property.
Littrell’s attempts to deter trespassers were extensive. He erected “private property” signs and strategically placed beach furniture, yet alleges Hill persisted, even filming him and his family without permission.
The situation escalated, according to the lawsuit, with Littrell forced to hire private security to enforce what he believes are his property rights. He contends Hill and others actively sought to challenge Florida’s beach access laws.
Hill’s legal representation argues Littrell hasn’t proven his client crossed the high tide line, dismissing the allegations as “vague.” Her lawyer anticipates the renewed lawsuit will meet the same fate as the first.
“Ms. Hill remains steadfast in her position that every person, regardless of social or financial status, has the constitutional right to access and enjoy Florida’s beaches,” stated Hill’s attorney. “No one should face costly litigation simply to exercise a constitutionally guaranteed right.”
The case highlights a fundamental clash: the right to private property versus the public’s access to Florida’s treasured coastline, a dispute that resonates far beyond Littrell’s backyard.
