Brooksville man arrested in Dade City on murder charges

Hernando County sheriff’s deputies have accused a Brooksville man of second-degree murder with a firearm.

Daniel Brunette, 33, was arrested Thursday after detectives received a tip about a possible slaying in either eastern Hernando or eastern Pasco County.

The victim is Darius Octivan Hampton, 21, sheriff’s officials said. His body was found in the Withlacoochee State Forest in Hernando County. Detectives and forensic technicians were at the scene where the body was found Friday morning.

Brunette provided a detailed account of the killing to investigators and also gave them several items of evidence, the sheriff’s office reported.

Brunette and Hampton were driving around discussing “ripping off drug dealers” when the pair became involved in an argument, deputies said. Shots were fired and Hampton was killed, according to the sheriff’s office.

Brunette drove to various locations before disposing of the body in the Withlacoochee State Forest, deputies said.

The Hernando County Sheriff’s Office said it worked with the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office since Thursday afternoon on the case.

Brunette was located in the area of Talisman Estates in Dade City and was taken into custody, the sheriff’s office said. He is being held without bail.