TAMARAC, Fla.: A 29-year-old woman was discovered dead following an early morning apartment fire in Tamarac on Tuesday. Family members of the victim believe her ex-boyfriend is responsible for her death.
The fire erupted at approximately 3:30 a.m. at a unit in the Versailles Gardens condominium complex located on S. Colony Circle, near West McNab Road and North University Drive.
Witnesses reported heavy smoke billowing from the residence, describing it as similar to smoke from a chimney. The woman who tragically lost her life has been identified as Keera Brabham, a mother of a 4-year-old child.
Authorities have yet to release details regarding the cause of the fire and the woman’s cause of death. Her child was not home at the time of the fire. Brabham’s family members allege that her ex-boyfriend intentionally started the fire as an act of jealousy. They also said that he attacked her before starting the fire. The victim’s mom said that she broke up with her boyfriend three to four weeks ago, and they believed he showed up and attacked her.
According to Brabham’s sister, Stephanie Gladman, the victim had gone out with friends, and her ex-boyfriend was enraged. She was physically assaulted by her ex-boyfriend after returning home. The family questions why he resorted to violence instead of simply expressing his frustration. “We’re distraught. Yesterday was Christmas,” Gladman said. “You do this to someone’s family during the holidays, you got to pay.”
Citing the impact on Brabham’s young child, her mother, Juliet Brabham, expressed the family’s grief and sense of injustice. It is now up to them to raise the child, who will grow up without her mom.
Despite the devastating loss, the family remains hopeful that the authorities will apprehend the suspect and hold him accountable for his actions.
Officials have said little about the cause of the fire and the woman’s cause of death. A city spokesperson confirmed that the victim was alone in the apartment when the fire broke out, and the blaze was contained within her unit. Despite being contained, 5 apartment units were condemned. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, with assistance from Broward County Sheriff’s Office homicide detectives.
Community members who witnessed the fire’s aftermath expressed shock and concern for the victim. The fire investigation team is working diligently to determine the cause and bring closure to the grieving family. If the fire was intentionally set, as the family members believe, an arrest may be in the works.