Backstreet Boys singer Brian Littrell faces off in court with senior citizen he says has been trespassing on his private Florida beach
Brian Littrell, best known as the charismatic tenor of the 1990s hit‑maker group The Backstreet Boys, recently found himself at the center of a legal dispute that extends beyond the music charts. The singer‑turned‐real‑estate owner is taking a lawsuit to a Walton County court, claiming that a local woman has repeatedly infringed on his private beach property in Santa Rosa Beach.
The suit alleges that Carolyn Barrington Hill, 67, has wandered onto the dry sand behind Littrell’s $3.8 million waterfront home from April through September, violating Florida’s public‑beach guidelines that allow access only up to the high‑tide line. Littrell’s attorneys say Hill has stood on the private beach, photographed his family without permission, and refused to leave when asked. A “No Trespassing” sign was posted, but Hill allegedly ignored it.
In exchange, Hill counters by filing a motion to dismiss the entire case. She characterizes her defense as a “semi‑retired” resident on Medicare who is simply exercising her rights as a beachgoer. Hill’s attorney, Heidi Mehaffey, argues that the law guaranteeing public access to the sand below the mean‑high‑water line protects all residents, regardless of wealth. “The beaches in our great state below the mean high water line are sovereign land held by the state for the public trust of all people — all people, not just people who are wealthy,” Mehaffey said.
Littrell’s side contends that the incident is part of a broader campaign by local beach‑access activists to squeeze private owners out of their shoreline. “What this is really about is a political campaign against the Littrells run by certain individuals in the Walton County area,” said Littrell’s lawyer, Brent Day. He added that the family has endured repeated harassment from local groups seeking to open up the entire strip of beach behind the property.
The dispute has drawn in other parties. Littrell filed a separate suit against the Walton County Sheriff’s Office in July, alleging that local law enforcement failed to protect his family from trespassers. The sheriff’s office now has a motion to dismiss pending. The case also involves the Littrells’ business partner, Leighanne, who co‑owns BLB Beach Hut, LLC—a 1,574‑square‑foot property acquired in 2023. While the Littrells did not appear in the video hearing on Thursday, Hill’s lawyer was present but did not appear on the screen.
According to court filings, Littrell’s family reportedly had to hire security to keep them safe from “pesky neighbors,” and on May 4 he called the local sheriff to force Hill off the property. The family’s frustration stems from a feeling that, after a tense standoff, they no longer feel comfortable in their own home.
Mehaffey refuted the claim that Hill crossed the high‑water line, calling the allegations too vague. “The plaintiffs are attempting to send the message that they will sue without cause to exhaust the resources of beachgoers who stand up for their constitutional right to recreate and use water on these beaches,” she said. “Clearly, this is an attempt to harass and intimidate Ms. Hill and it cannot stand.”
Judge Jonathan Schlechter heard roughly an hour of oral arguments before setting a date to issue his ruling. Regardless of the outcome, the dispute has ignited controversy on local social‑media channels, with posts from Shoreline Defender depicting heated exchanges over the contested parcel of beach.
The case brings to light the tension that can emerge when Florida’s public‑access beaches collide with the interests of affluent homeowners. Whether the courts will tip in favor of Littrell’s claim for quiet enjoyment of his property, or uphold the public’s right to the dunes, remains to be seen.
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