A man has been arrested in connection with a fatal fire at a Tamarac apartment the day after Christmas that left his ex-girlfriend dead.
Laren Lenworth Emile, 31, is facing first-degree murder and arson charges in the Dec. 26 fire that claimed the life of 29-year-old Keera Brabham, Broward Sheriff's Office officials said Thursday.
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The fire was reported just after 3:30 a.m. at the apartment complex at 7900 South Colony Circle.
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The building was evacuated and the fire was extinguished, but Brabham was found inside an apartment and taken to an area hospital where she was pronounced dead.
Detectives later determined Emile was responsible for the killing and fire, officials said.
Authorities haven't said what the connection was between Emile and Brabham, but her family members said he is her ex-boyfriend.
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"We got the justice we deserved. We're grateful, we're grateful," Brabham's sister, Stephanie Gladman, told NBC6 on Thursday. "We never thought this man would take my sister’s life and he did."
Gladman said she received a phone call about the arrest Thursday morning. She said the family knew from day one who the main suspect was.
"He was becoming like a stalker. She told him 'I need you to leave, please move out. He finally moved out, but it looks like he kept a key and that’s how he was able to get in the apartment and attack her," Gladman said. "It’s just frustrating, knowing that my sister was six feet under and this guy is just out doing what he pleases."
The family said Brabham had a 4-year-old child, was a business owner and was a happy woman.
"My sister would light up a room, bubbly personality," Gladman said.
Emile was booked into jail, where he remained without bond Thursday, records showed. Attorney information wasn't available.
