Family Mourning Loss Of Murdered Lauderdale Lakes Teen

FT. LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) – A family is mourning the loss of a Lauderdale Lakes teen found dead inside his family's home on Monday afternoon.

"I was there in the morning," said Richard Simpson.

Simpson was the uncle of 18-year old nephew Stephen Rutty. He said when the teen arrived home he noticed a new tattoo on his arm. Simpson said something was bothering Rutty.

"I know something was troubling him but he wasn't talking or anything. It was like four in the morning when he came in," said Simpson. "I think he was with the wrong people at the wrong time many times."

Rutty's stepfather, Marlon Channer, said Stephen tried to stay away from trouble.

"Overall he was a good kid. He didn't get involved with nobody or nothing like that. He's a quiet person," said Channer.

"It's scary, something so close, a kid so young" said neighbor Elaine Hughes. "Some one comes into your home and takes your life."

Channer said he was the one who discovered his stepson's body. He added that the family is desperate for answers.

"We all new him and it's wrong what they did, he's a kid. Nobody should take another person's life," said Channer.

Anyone with information on Rutty's murder is urged to call Crime Stoppers at (954) 493-TIPS.