Backstreet Boy Brian Littrell Files Second Lawsuit Over Florida Beach Access
Backstreet Boys member Brian Littrell has initiated a second legal action to restrict public access to the beachfront area of his Florida mansion. The singer previously filed a lawsuit in September 2025, but it was dismissed on a technicality by a judge. Now, he has refiled the case, targeting retiree Carolyn Barrington Hill, 67, for allegedly trespassing on his property in Santa Rosa, Florida.
Legal Battle Over Beach Rights
According to reports from the New York Post, Littrell claims that Hill illegally entered his property by using the beach in front of his US$3.8 million home in the Florida panhandle. The singer argues that under Florida law, the public is only permitted to use the beach up to the high tide line behind private residences. Littrell alleges that Hill repeatedly walked onto the dry sand at the back of his home between April and September 2025, leading to seven new trespassing charges in the civil case filed in Walton County.
Judge Jonathan Schlechter dismissed Littrell's initial lawsuit last week, ruling that the singer could not sue for emotional damages related to trespassing claims. However, the judge granted Littrell 20 days to submit a revised version of the suit, which he has now done. The new lawsuit seeks unspecified damages and highlights the ongoing conflict between private property rights and public access to beaches.
Efforts to Deter Intruders
Littrell has taken measures to protect his property, including installing private property signs and beach furniture to ward off intruders. He claims that Hill refused to leave the area and even filmed him and his family without consent. The singer alleges that Hill and other local residents have ignored his requests to vacate the land, as they advocate for changes to Florida's laws to make all beaches public. In response, Littrell says he was forced to hire a private security guard to enforce his property rights.
Defense and Constitutional Claims
Heidi Mehaffey, the lawyer representing Carolyn Barrington Hill, has challenged Littrell's allegations, stating that he cannot prove her client crossed the high tide line. Mehaffey described the singer's claims as vague and expressed confidence that the new lawsuit will also be dismissed. She emphasized that Hill believes every person has a constitutional right to access and enjoy Florida's beaches without fear of litigation.
Mehaffey told the New York Post, 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 without fear of intimidation through litigation. The Florida Constitution protects Ms. Hill's right to use the shoreline in Walton County, where she has recreated for decades and has never been cited for trespassing.
This case underscores the broader debate over beach access rights in Florida, where tensions between homeowners and the public often arise. As the legal proceedings continue, it remains to be seen how the courts will balance private property interests with constitutional guarantees for public enjoyment of natural resources.
