The case of Tyler Mook is one of those stories that feels like it’s straight out of a scripted thriller, but for the families involved, it's been a decade-long nightmare. Most people recognize the name from the chilling "48 Hours" episode or the headlines surrounding the 2011 disappearance of his ex-wife, Shelley Mook. But while that case remains a frustrating mystery in Tennessee, Tyler’s legal clock has been ticking in Florida for a completely different—and equally violent—reason.
If you’re looking for the Tyler Mook release date, you’re looking into the aftermath of a boat trip in Martin County that turned into an attempted murder.
The Florida Conviction and the 12-Year Sentence
In 2016, a Florida jury found Tyler Mook guilty of attempted second-degree murder. This wasn't a "he-said, she-said" situation with no witnesses. It was a brutal scene on a speedboat where Tyler threw his then-girlfriend, Robin Doneth, into the water and tried to hold her under.
The most jarring part? His own brother, Andrew, was the one who jumped in to save her, putting Tyler in a chokehold to get him to stop.
The judge didn't go easy. Tyler was sentenced to 12 years in prison.
Because Florida law requires inmates to serve at least 85% of their sentence (a policy known as "truth in sentencing"), he wasn't eligible for the kind of early parole you see in other states. Based on his 2016 sentencing and time served while awaiting trial, the math points to a release window that has been the subject of much speculation among true crime followers.
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Why the Date Matters
For the family of Shelley Mook, Tyler’s release is a looming shadow. While he was never charged in Shelley’s disappearance, he remains the primary person of interest. Her car was found burned out in a field shortly after she was last seen at his house. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) has never closed that file.
Basically, as long as Tyler was behind bars in Florida, there was a sense of "contained" justice. Now that his sentence is nearing its end—or has recently concluded depending on specific "gain time" credits for good behavior—there is a renewed push for answers in the Tennessee cold case.
The Legal Maneuvers: Appeals and Plea Deals
It hasn't been a quiet stay in prison. Tyler and his legal team fought the conviction hard.
At one point, he tried to argue that his lawyer gave him terrible advice by telling him to reject a five-year plea deal. He claimed he was told the state could only prove a misdemeanor. Obviously, that backfired. He ended up with 12 years instead of five.
There were also arguments about the costs of the trial. Specifically, the state tried to charge him for bringing witnesses down from Tennessee to testify. The Florida appeals court actually agreed with him on that small point, reversing the "award of costs," but they kept the 12-year prison sentence fully intact.
Where is Tyler Mook Now?
Inmate records in Florida are public, but they update frequently. As of the most recent records from the Florida Department of Corrections, Mook has been serving his time in the state prison system.
It's important to understand how Florida handles "Release Dates." You have:
- The Maximum Sentence Date: The absolute last day he can be held.
- The Current Release Date: This date fluctuates based on "gain time" (credits for not getting into fights, working jobs, or completing programs).
If you check the FDOC inmate search today, you'll see that Tyler Mook’s footprint in the system is reaching its final chapters. For those who followed the trial, the "justice" served in Florida feels like a temporary bandage on a much larger wound in Tennessee.
The Connection Most People Miss
People often get confused and think he was convicted for Shelley’s disappearance. He wasn't. Honestly, that’s the tragedy here. He was convicted for trying to kill a different woman in almost exactly the same way some fear happened to Shelley.
The witnesses in the Florida boat case described him as saying, "No one disrespects me in front of my family." That level of rage is what led to the 12-year sentence.
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What’s Next for the Investigation?
The TBI hasn't stopped looking for Shelley. They know that once Tyler is back in society, the dynamic of the investigation changes.
When an inmate is released after a decade, they often return to their old stomping grounds or try to disappear into a new life. Investigators are hoping that someone, somewhere, will finally feel safe enough to speak up once the "person of interest" is no longer tucked away in a Florida cell.
Tracking the Status
If you want to keep an eye on his official status, the best way is through the Florida Department of Corrections (FDOC) Inmate Population Information Search. You just need his name or DC number.
Keep in mind that "release" doesn't always mean total freedom. Depending on the terms of his sentence, he might face years of supervised probation or "Community Control." This means he could be wearing a GPS monitor or be restricted from leaving a certain area.
The end of a prison sentence is rarely the end of the story in cases this high-profile. It’s usually just the start of a new, tenser chapter for the people left behind.
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Next Steps for Following the Case:
- Monitor the FDOC Portal: Regularly check the Florida Department of Corrections website using the "Inmate Search" tool for the most "real-time" update on his custody status.
- Contact the TBI: If you have any information regarding the 2011 disappearance of Shelley Mook, contact the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation at 1-800-TBI-FIND.
- Review the "48 Hours" Archives: To understand the full scope of the evidence presented against him, re-watch the "Bad Boy" episode which details the 911 "butt-dial" and the boat incident.