Hailey Hosford Identified as Victim in Deadly Sunrise Apartment Complex Attack: Can The Apartment Complex Be Held Liable?

A horrific and senseless act of violence took place in the early hours of May 28, 2025, at a luxury apartment complex in Sunrise, Florida. Hailey Hosford, a beloved 27-year-old hairstylist and yoga instructor, was stabbed to death in the parking garage of The Retreat at Sawgrass Village by a knife-wielding resident who reportedly told police, “I just killed someone and walked away.”

According to police, Hailey had just returned to the apartment complex in a rental vehicle when Jackson Sagesse, a resident of the Retreat, approached her with a knife. Surveillance footage reportedly shows Hosford trying to escape by jumping into the back seat of the vehicle, but Sagesse ripped the door open and began stabbing her repeatedly in the neck and throat.

Hailey’s friend, who had momentarily left to retrieve items from his apartment, returned to find the attack in progress and tried to intervene. He was stabbed in the throat during a confrontation with the assailant, but managed to escape and call 911. Tragically, Hailey was later found unresponsive inside the car and was pronounced dead shortly after 2:00 a.m.

Sagesse was arrested at his apartment in the same complex, wearing the same clothes captured on security footage. He admitted to the killings, and investigators found a blood-smeared door and missing knives matching the suspected murder weapon.

Can an Apartment Complex Be Liable for Violence on the Premises?

In Florida, apartment complexes and landlords have a legal duty to provide reasonably safe premises for tenants and guests. This includes taking adequate security measures, especially in high-risk areas like parking garages, stairwells, and entryways.

While Jackson Sagesse alone is criminally responsible for Hailey’s death and the injury to her friend, the Retreat at Sawgrass Village may also face civil liability if it is determined that:

• The complex failed to provide adequate security, such as surveillance monitoring, access control, or proper lighting;
• Management knew or should have known that Sagesse was a danger to others based on past behavior or complaints;
• The parking garage lacked reasonable safeguards that could have deterred or interrupted the attack;
• The complex had prior incidents of violence or threats and failed to respond with improved security measures.

Even if a crime is committed by a resident, the property owner can still be held liable under Florida’s premises liability law if the crime was foreseeable and preventable through reasonable action.

Unfortunately, parking garages are common sites for violent attacks due to their typically low visibility, limited foot traffic, and poor lighting. Complexes should implement security protocols such as:

• 24/7 monitored surveillance systems
• Security personnel or regular patrols
• Keycard or fob access systems
• Emergency intercoms or panic buttons
• Adequate lighting and signage

Failure to implement any of these in a facility marketed as “luxury” may strengthen a claim of negligence.

Filing a Wrongful Death Claim After a Fatal Apartment Complex Attack

The family of a person killed due to negligent security may be entitled to file a wrongful death lawsuit in Florida. Damages may include:

• Medical and funeral expenses
• Loss of future earnings
• Pain and suffering (including mental anguish)
• Loss of companionship and protection
• Punitive damages in cases of gross negligence

If the property owner or management company was negligent in maintaining safe conditions, they can be held civilly accountable alongside the criminal prosecution of the attacker.

The loss of Hailey Hosford is devastating—not only to her family and friends but to a community that knew her as a bright, compassionate, and driven woman. This tragedy also underscores the critical responsibility that apartment complexes have to ensure resident safety, particularly in areas known to be vulnerable.

If you or someone you know has lost a loved one due to violence on another party’s property, you may have legal options. A civil lawsuit cannot undo the harm, but it can provide a measure of justice and help protect others from future harm.