A 31-year-old man is facing first-degree murder charges in the fire that killed a young woman in a Tamarac apartment just after Christmas.
Laren Lenworth Emile, of Lauderhill, was arrested Thursday morning on charges of first-degree murder and arson, the Broward Sheriff’s Office announced in a media release. The release did not provide a motive for the killing.
The victim, Keera Brabham, 29, was a young entrepreneur whose career as an esthetician was just beginning to take off, friends and family said. She had just opened a bigger salon in Sunrise, and served people across the world. She also had a 4-year-old son, Niko.
“She was in her glory,” her father, Curtis Brabham, told the Sun Sentinel in December.
Brabham had just returned home from visiting her Central Florida family for Christmas when the early morning fire burned through the apartment on Dec. 26. BSO Homicide Unit detectives were investigating but released no updates in the weeks since her death.
BSO’s V.I.P.E.R detectives made the arrest, the release said. It did not specify the nature of the relationship between Emile and Brabham.
“BSO’s Homicide and Crime Scene units responded to investigate and speak to witnesses and family members,” the release states. “Through their investigation, detectives determined Laren Lenworth Emile was responsible for the homicide and fire.”
Emile has a felony history, court records show. He was charged with attempted first-degree murder and attempted robbery in 2008. He pled no contest to the robbery charge, while the attempted murder charge was dropped.
This is a developing story, so check back for updates. Click here to have breaking news alerts sent directly to your inbox.