Psychological & Behavioral Intelligence

Anthony Martinez and Skyler Collins Allegedly Murdered by Steven Wessleck, Diane Dykus, and others, Brooksville, Florida, United States

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Human-reviewed analysis

Psychological & Behavioral Intelligence

This source-based behavioral analysis does not establish a clinical diagnosis, motive, or legal finding.

Case Overview

The source presents a relationship-centered pathway involving overlapping sexual attachments, drug dependence, financial desperation, family boundary violations, and escalating criminal behavior. Steven, Diane, and Sherry are described through a mixture of reported behavior and strong narrator interpretation. No professional psychological diagnosis is documented in the supplied material, and the report's use of terms such as psychopathic is commentary rather than a verified clinical assessment.

Relationship Dynamics

The reported triangle connected Steven sexually to both Diane and Sherry, while Sherry and Diane were also mother and daughter and reportedly collaborated in criminal activity. The relationship appears to have been reinforced by methamphetamine use, shared desperation, attraction, manipulation, and a claimed common background of childhood adversity. Boundaries between sexual attachment, family roles, financial exploitation, and criminal partnership were described as severely compromised.

Escalation Summary

The reported pathway moved from vulnerability and drug use to an overlapping sexual relationship, financial exploitation, transportation planning, weapon preparation, a staged ride, lethal violence, concealment efforts, flight, and eventual arrest. The source describes both mutual reinforcement and conflicting self-protective accounts after the attack.

Observed Patterns and Case-Specific Context

Each entry separates the reported behavior or state from the analytical strength of the available narration.

Behavior / construct	Person / subject	Detailed case context	Evidence
Situational vulnerability Victim vulnerability	Steven Wessleck SuspectLover of offender	The combination of homelessness, financial insecurity, and a stated desire for belonging placed Steven in a precarious social position. The source portrays his scholarship as both a potential route to stability and a resource that attracted Diane and Sherry. This context may have reduced his ability to distinguish attachment from exploitation, although the source does not independently assess his decision-making capacity. Context or trigger: Homelessness, unstable childhood experiences, limited support, and dependence on a scholarship fund Reported expression: Steven is described as living in a tent and seeking a new start through a GED and possible military service. The report also states that he had access to $3,000, making him vulnerable to people interested in his money and to a group offering emotional and sexual connection.	Narrative-supported psychological state Confidence: Moderate
Deception or concealment Behavioral pattern	Sherry Dykus and Diane Dykus	The reported relationship relied on concealment of motives from both Steven and the intended car occupants. The source says the trio used a secluded meeting and concealed weapons before the attack. This behavior is presented as a transition from interpersonal manipulation to operational deception, although the precise planning roles are disputed in later statements. Context or trigger: The reported effort to obtain Steven's money and arrange transportation without revealing the plan to Skyler and Anthony Reported expression: The source characterizes the mother and daughter as concealing their financial interest in Steven and participating in a plan that presented a ride as ordinary transportation. The victims reportedly did not know the purpose of the meeting.	Narrative-supported psychological state Confidence: Moderate
Infidelity or competing attachment Relationship stressor	Steven Wessleck SuspectLover of offender	The overlapping attachments appear to have created a powerful but unstable bond involving sexual novelty, emotional dependence, and competing loyalties. Steven reportedly offered his scholarship money when the women threatened to leave, suggesting that continuation of the relationship became linked to financial sacrifice. The source does not establish whether the attachments were exclusive or how each participant defined them. Context or trigger: Meeting Diane and then becoming sexually involved with both Diane and her mother, Sherry Reported expression: Steven reportedly participated in an overlapping sexual relationship with a teenage girl and her mother. The source describes the triangle as exciting and seductive to him and later links it to his willingness to protect the arrangement.	Explicitly reported Confidence: High
Coercive control Control dynamics	Sherry Dykus AccompliceLover of offender	Sherry is portrayed as exercising influence through emotional attachment, sexual access, and pressure connected to money and drugs. The account suggests that Steven's desire to keep the relationship intact made him more willing to accept risky instructions. These claims are primarily narrator interpretations and should not be treated as a clinical finding. Context or trigger: The reported sexual relationship with Steven, access to his money, and the group's dependence on drugs Reported expression: The source repeatedly describes Sherry as directing Steven, influencing his decisions, and allegedly persuading him to contact Skyler. It also states that she used the sexual relationship and the wider triangle to draw Steven into her plans.	Narrative-supported psychological state Confidence: Moderate
Financial strain or dependence Relationship stressor	Case-wide	Financial pressure was not presented as a background issue only; it became an organizing feature of the relationship and the criminal plan. The scholarship reportedly represented education and future stability for Steven but was reframed by the group as money for travel and drugs. This convergence of dependence and financial exploitation increased the stakes of the relationship conflict. Context or trigger: The group's reported lack of cash, drug dependence, homelessness, and access to Steven's scholarship Reported expression: The source states that the trio exhausted their money and focused on Steven's $3,000 scholarship. Transportation and the carjacking were reportedly connected to collecting or accessing those funds.	Explicitly reported Confidence: High
Premeditation and planning Planning or impulsivity	Case-wide	The account contains several indicators of preparation before the assault, including target selection, weapon preparation, and a plan to remove witnesses. Steven's questions about Anthony were reportedly interpreted by investigators as assessing resistance. The exact division of planning responsibility remains partly disputed because the participants later gave conflicting accounts. Context or trigger: The reported decision to obtain a vehicle, ask whether Skyler would come alone, assess Anthony, and bring a rope and knife Reported expression: The source describes advance discussion of transportation, the presence of a second passenger, Anthony's physical characteristics, and the use of weapons. The group reportedly entered the vehicle with a rope and knife before reaching a secluded intersection.	Narrative-supported psychological state Confidence: High
Impulsive aggression Planning or impulsivity	Steven Wessleck SuspectLover of offender	The reported violence appears to have occurred within a previously planned crime but escalated rapidly once resistance began. The source links the severity of the attack to drug use, anger, and detachment from Anthony's suffering, although these explanations are interpretive. Steven's later account minimized intent, creating a conflict between the reported physical sequence and his explanation. Context or trigger: The reported carjacking, methamphetamine use, confrontation with Anthony, and fear of detection Reported expression: Steven reportedly stabbed Anthony repeatedly during the vehicle attack and then fled when other drivers stopped. During interrogation, he later characterized the stabbing as accidental.	Narrative-supported psychological state Confidence: Moderate
Co-offender facilitation Offender behavior	Diane Dykus AccompliceLover of offender	Diane's reported conduct is presented as facilitating the vehicle takeover while the other participants used direct violence. Her refusal to implicate Steven later functioned as interpersonal protection, according to the report. The source does not independently establish whether her actions were coerced, voluntary, or planned to the same extent as the other participants' actions. Context or trigger: The reported joint attack on Skyler and Anthony Reported expression: Diane reportedly reached for the steering wheel while Sherry attacked Skyler and Steven attacked Anthony. The source also describes Diane as protecting Steven during questioning.	Narrative-supported psychological state Confidence: Moderate
Staging or evidence concealment Post-offense behavior	Steven Wessleck, Diane Dykus, and Sherry Dykus	The reported post-incident actions indicate an effort to alter the apparent condition of the vehicle and reduce links to the victims. These actions also show that the participants shifted from active violence to concealment and evasion. The source does not establish which individual performed each specific concealment task beyond the broad group account. Context or trigger: The reported flight after the attack and arrival at Anne Thompson's home Reported expression: The group reportedly removed belongings from the Mustang, cleaned blood from a seat, attempted to repaint the vehicle, and tried to hide the murder weapon.	Explicitly reported Confidence: High
Moral disengagement Cognitive pattern	Steven Wessleck SuspectLover of offender	The reported explanations minimized the seriousness of the conduct by framing the stabbing as unintended and the crime as a response to practical needs. The later attempt to transfer blame suggests continued self-protection after arrest. These are behavioral observations from the source, not a finding about Steven's internal state. Context or trigger: The reported shift from obtaining money and transportation to lethal violence Reported expression: The source presents Steven as reducing the situation to a practical need for a car and money, while later describing the stabbing as accidental. He reportedly initially blamed others and later tried to shift responsibility to Diane.	Narrative-supported psychological state Confidence: Moderate
Fear or perceived threat Emotional state	Skyler Collins VictimVictim	Skyler's reported reactions are consistent with persistent fear after surviving a violent attack and witnessing Anthony's death. Her later avoidance of the front seat and concern about leaving her children alone suggest continuing perceived danger. The source does not provide a clinical assessment or diagnosis. Context or trigger: The sudden reported attack inside the vehicle and Anthony's serious injury Reported expression: Skyler reportedly became frightened, sought emergency help, and repeatedly asked whether Anthony would survive. The source later quotes her describing nightmares, fear of leaving her children alone, and discomfort sitting in the front seat.	Explicitly reported Confidence: High
Prior interpersonal violence Prior violence	Steven Wessleck SuspectLover of offender	The earlier fire is presented as a serious violent behavior preceding the focal homicide. Its inclusion suggests a history of dangerous conduct, but the source does not provide a complete developmental or legal record. The report's expert commentary goes beyond the documented event when it labels the behavior as evidence of psychopathy. Context or trigger: The source's account of an earlier house fire during childhood and later criminal behavior Reported expression: The report states that Steven set a fire inside his family home when he was approximately seven and that the house burned while family members escaped. It later uses this history to interpret the stabbing incident.	Narrative-supported psychological state Confidence: Moderate

Behavioral Escalation Pathway

Select a stage to expand it; scroll horizontally to follow the full sequence.

Narrative sequence

1 Developmental instability and homelessness Steven Wessleck SuspectLover of offender Situational vulnerability Narrative-supported psychological state

The source describes Steven as experiencing parental instability, foster care, adoption disruption, drug use, and homelessness before the incident. He was reportedly attempting to improve his circumstances through a GED and possible military service. This background is relevant as context but does not explain or excuse the later violence.

Narrative-supported psychological state · Moderate confidence

2 Recovery followed by new attachment Steven Wessleck SuspectLover of offender Relationship decision process Explicitly reported

Steven reportedly became clean and sober long enough to complete his GED, then met Diane and entered an intense relationship involving Diane and Sherry. The source portrays the new attachment as an immediate source of excitement and belonging. It does not establish the participants' formal relationship agreements.

Explicitly reported · High confidence

3 Meth use and boundary collapse Steven Wessleck, Diane Dykus, and Sherry Dykus Infidelity or competing attachment Narrative-supported psychological state

The source reports that methamphetamine use accompanied the sexual triangle and that Sherry engaged sexually with her daughter's boyfriend. The overlapping attachments blurred family, romantic, and instrumental roles. The narrator interprets this as emotional control and boundary failure, but no clinical evaluation is supplied.

Narrative-supported psychological state · Moderate confidence

4 Money becomes the organizing objective Case-wide Financial strain or dependence Explicitly reported

After the group reportedly ran out of money, Steven offered his scholarship funds. The source states that the money was viewed as a way to leave Florida and purchase more drugs. This reportedly transformed the relationship from sexual and emotional dependence into a shared financial objective.

Explicitly reported · High confidence

5 Transportation plan and target assessment Steven Wessleck, Diane Dykus, and Sherry Dykus Premeditation and planning Narrative-supported psychological state

The group reportedly needed a car to obtain the scholarship money. Steven contacted Skyler, asked whether she would come alone, and questioned her about Anthony. The source then describes the group bringing a rope and knife, indicating preparation before the meeting.

Narrative-supported psychological state · High confidence

6 Vehicle attack and homicide Steven Wessleck SuspectLover of offender Impulsive aggression Narrative-supported psychological state

At a secluded intersection, Sherry reportedly attacked Skyler with a rope, Steven stabbed Anthony, and Diane reached for the steering wheel. Anthony escaped but died after collapsing, while Skyler survived. The source describes the event as a lethal escalation of the carjacking plan.

Narrative-supported psychological state · High confidence

7 Concealment and flight Steven Wessleck, Diane Dykus, and Sherry Dykus Staging or evidence concealment Explicitly reported

After the attack, the group reportedly went to Anne Thompson's home, cleaned blood from the car, removed belongings, and tried to repaint the vehicle. Steven and Diane later attempted to ditch the car and hide the knife. These actions indicate post-incident evasion rather than help-seeking.

Explicitly reported · High confidence

8 Conflicting accounts and legal consequences Steven Wessleck and Sherry Dykus Moral disengagement Narrative-supported psychological state

Sherry initially denied involvement before reportedly admitting that she choked Skyler. Steven first blamed Sherry, later admitted stabbing Anthony, characterized it as accidental, and then attempted to blame Diane. The source reports that the case ended in convictions and prison sentences, but it does not provide complete court documentation.

Narrative-supported psychological state · High confidence

9 Post-incident trauma Skyler Collins VictimVictim Fear or perceived threat Explicitly reported

The source reports that Skyler experienced nightmares, feared leaving her children alone, avoided sitting in the front seat, and was affected by reminders of the attack. These statements describe continuing trauma-related fear after the homicide and serious injury. No formal diagnosis is reported.

Explicitly reported · High confidence

Arrows show the sequence described in the source narrative; they do not prove that one psychological state caused the next event.

Source Limits and Cautions

This analysis is based only on a dramatized English video report and its supplied captions. Several statements are narrator interpretations rather than direct observations, names are inconsistently transcribed, and no complete court, medical, forensic, or clinical records are provided. Behavioral constructs are therefore source-limited and do not establish diagnosis, intent, or legal responsibility beyond the reported convictions and statements.

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