On Saturday, July 29, 2023, friends and family of Ariana Ptarcinski gathered at the Wind Chime Tree to celebrate her on what would have been her 20th birthday. There are several chimes on the tree that celebrate Ariana, including one made by her sister.
As a group, they walked from Anderson Snow Park’s south parking lot to the bike trail, where a few hundred feet south sits the Wind Chime Tree. They gathered there, reminiscing, while Ariana’s family and a few friends assembled biodegradable lanterns.
These lanterns were a couple foot tall sacks that were spread out at the bottom, where a flammable solid was held in the middle. Once the balloon was filled with enough hot air, it would float away into the night. These floating lanterns were intended to send their love to Adriana. Dozens were released and carried away by a gentle breeze.
The family also wants to bring attention to Ariana’s case. It has been more than a year and a half since their daughter’s death, and so far there have been no arrests or charges.
The family recounts the events of that fateful night. On Christmas Eve, 2021, 18-year-old Ariana Ptarcinski was in her room with her 20-year-old boyfriend when she sustained a fatal knife wound to her neck. Now, almost two years later, the case remains under investigation, and the young woman’s family and friends are calling for the resolution of the case. “Someone should be in jail,” Ariana’s father, Ed Ptarcinski, said.
In March, the Hernando Sun spoke with Hernando County Sheriff’s Office Media Relations Manager Denise Moloney about the case.
“The State Attorney’s Office wants to make a case that will stand up to scrutiny by a jury in court,” Moloney said. “They want to make sure that the evidence warrants the charges so that a jury won’t throw the case out of court.”
The process takes time. “Both the HCSO and the SAO take our time to get justice for the victims and the survivors if justice is needed,” she said. “Everyone tries to do their best; it takes time.”
Currently, the investigation into the circumstances surrounding Ariana Ptarcinski‘s death remains open. “The case is still open, pending a filing decision by the State Attorney’s Office,” Moloney said. The State Attorney’s Office also confirmed that “the case is still under investigation.”
If you have any information on the case, please contact the police department. Anonymous tips can be made by calling either of these tip lines:
Hernando County Sheriff Office Tip Line: 1-866-990-8477 Hernando County Crime Stoppers Tip Line: 1-866-990-TIPS.
