WSVN — He had hit hard times but was working to get his life back together. A killer wouldn’t give David Brady that chance, and as Patrick Fraser tells us in tonight’s Out for Justice, Coconut Creek detectives are working to find answers.
When you think of a homeless person, a few visions come to mind. David Brady did not fit that profile.
Ty Ramsey: “He was a very good employee. He was always showing up on time, generally waiting on the doorstep when I got there in the mornings.”
David Brady had worked at Xeleum Lighting for five months, but still slept in a patch of woods near Atlantic Boulevard and Lyons Road.
Coconut Creek Police Detective Clint Corey: “This is believed to be the area where he lived.”
People in the area could spot David riding his distinctive black bike with the red tires, not just to get to work; to go everywhere.
Detective Clint Corey: “That was how he went to get his groceries or anything else that he needed.”
A homeless man who was able to hide the fact he was homeless from his co-workers.
Ty Ramsey: “He was always clean; there were never any concerns about his personal hygiene or anything like that. Even his lunches, he would bring in Tupperware lunches, things that, how he did that, I don’t know.”
Brady was no longer a part of his wife and three adult kids’ lives. They live in another part of the state and didn’t want to talk to us about him, but his boss at Xeleum Lighting only had good things to say about David.
Ty Ramsey: “He came in, he stayed focused, he did his job, and he did it well. He had gotten to the point to where he was doing some teaching of new employees.”
Then on May 1st, 2014, David left work on his bike. That night, he was seen at Wal-Mart. Five days later, a terrible discovery.
Detective Clint Corey: “An FDOT worker, while trimming bushes along the roadway of Atlantic Boulevard, came across his body.”
David Brady had died in the woods that were his home.
Detective Clint Corey: “His bike was found right over there, along with his bag.”
He had been murdered and robbed.
Ty Ramsey: “We were absolutely shocked. Nobody deserves to die like this.”
For a year the homeless man has been gone, but he has not been forgotten.
Ty Ramsey: “Somebody who definitely had some hard knocks in his life, but really seemed to be somebody who was putting his life back together.”
He was homeless. Police are helpless, unless you can help.
Detective Clint Corey: “If you knew David Brady at all, if you come across any of his personal items — specifically his license, Florida identification, a wallet with anything in that wallet with the name ‘David Brady’ attached — if you could please contact the Coconut Creek Police Department.”
Take a look at his bike. If you remember seeing David Brady, or know anything that can help, give Broward Crime Stoppers a call at 954-493-TIPS.
Ty Ramsey: “Please step forward and help the police department do their job. Let’s bring some justice to this man.”
And if you have lost a loved one and want to remind people you are still out for justice, give us a call. With this Out for Justice, I’m Patrick Fraser, 7News.
CONTACT OUT FOR JUSTICE:
Miami-Dade: 305-598-HELP (4357)
Broward: 954-796-HELP (4357)