Cold Case Murder of Florida Real Estate Developer Shirley Brant Reopened with Hopeful Advances in DNA Technology
Feb 02, 12:00 PM
In a chilling unsolved mystery that has haunted North Miami Beach for 37 years, the murder of Shirley Brant, a successful commercial real estate developer, remains a painful chapter in the community's history. However, there's newfound hope as police reopen the case, counting on advancements in DNA technology to potentially bring justice to a grieving family and a perplexed community.
Detective Pam Denham of the North Miami Beach police, who reopened the case alongside her partner Yvette Darden, shared the significance of seeking closure: "It's so important to give these families closure, and it does happen. Cold cases are solved, and that's what we're hoping to do."
The tragic incident occurred on June 13, 1986, at around 4 p.m. when two intruders entered the second-floor office where Shirley Brant worked. At that moment, she was in the front reception area, engaged in a phone call with a client. According to Denham, a temporary employee present in the office witnessed the horrifying events. "There was a witness that was a temporary employee that she was inputting data into a computer system," Denham explained. "And the next thing she knew, Shirley screamed. And then when she turned around, she saw that one of the males was attempting to take the phone away from Shirley. Then, the witness heard her say, 'Don't shoot!' And then she was shot."
Denham believes the incident escalated rapidly, suggesting that during a struggle, the assailant may have unintentionally discharged the firearm. The witness, now deceased, described the suspects as well-dressed Black males in their early 20s, possibly dressed professionally to avoid drawing attention.
The perpetrators fled the scene after stealing cash and credit cards. Investigators are exploring the possibility that the same individuals might have been involved in a purse theft from another office a week prior, leaving no stone unturned in their pursuit of justice.
Despite extensive media coverage and the circulation of a composite sketch of one suspect, the case remained cold. Previous detectives had followed up on leads, but none proved substantial enough to solve the case.
Shirley Brant's untimely death left a lasting scar on her family, especially her husband, local dentist Dr. Lawrence Brant, who "never got over it," as stated by her son, Dr. Steven Brant. Dr. Brant fondly remembered his mother as a "very, very talented woman" who transitioned from singing on cruise ships in the 1960s to becoming a real estate agent. She eventually excelled in the commercial real estate sector, despite facing initial skepticism due to her gender.
Shirley Brant and her husband were also actively involved in Jewish causes, even experiencing tense moments during a trip to Russia while advocating for Soviet Jews during the Refusenik movement.
Dr. Steven Brant last saw his mother two weeks before her tragic death, and he reflects on her absence in his life and the lives of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Despite the decades that have passed, the family remains hopeful that the case will finally be resolved. Dr. Brant expressed the importance of finding closure and seeing justice served, emphasizing the indelible impact of such a loss.
Detective Denham echoes this sentiment, hoping that renewed interest in the case will encourage individuals with information to come forward. "People move away, and they're not as fearful as they would've been when it actually happened," she noted. "We're just hoping that somebody heard something, or knows something, and that they're willing to come forward."
Anyone possessing information related to Shirley Brant's murder is urged to contact the North Miami Beach Police Department at 305-949-5500 ext. 2521 or reach out to Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. As the case is reopened with modern investigative techniques, there is optimism that justice may yet be served for Shirley Brant and her grieving family.
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The latest on Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Justice for Harmony Montgomery, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
Detective Pam Denham of the North Miami Beach police, who reopened the case alongside her partner Yvette Darden, shared the significance of seeking closure: "It's so important to give these families closure, and it does happen. Cold cases are solved, and that's what we're hoping to do."
The tragic incident occurred on June 13, 1986, at around 4 p.m. when two intruders entered the second-floor office where Shirley Brant worked. At that moment, she was in the front reception area, engaged in a phone call with a client. According to Denham, a temporary employee present in the office witnessed the horrifying events. "There was a witness that was a temporary employee that she was inputting data into a computer system," Denham explained. "And the next thing she knew, Shirley screamed. And then when she turned around, she saw that one of the males was attempting to take the phone away from Shirley. Then, the witness heard her say, 'Don't shoot!' And then she was shot."
Denham believes the incident escalated rapidly, suggesting that during a struggle, the assailant may have unintentionally discharged the firearm. The witness, now deceased, described the suspects as well-dressed Black males in their early 20s, possibly dressed professionally to avoid drawing attention.
The perpetrators fled the scene after stealing cash and credit cards. Investigators are exploring the possibility that the same individuals might have been involved in a purse theft from another office a week prior, leaving no stone unturned in their pursuit of justice.
Despite extensive media coverage and the circulation of a composite sketch of one suspect, the case remained cold. Previous detectives had followed up on leads, but none proved substantial enough to solve the case.
Shirley Brant's untimely death left a lasting scar on her family, especially her husband, local dentist Dr. Lawrence Brant, who "never got over it," as stated by her son, Dr. Steven Brant. Dr. Brant fondly remembered his mother as a "very, very talented woman" who transitioned from singing on cruise ships in the 1960s to becoming a real estate agent. She eventually excelled in the commercial real estate sector, despite facing initial skepticism due to her gender.
Shirley Brant and her husband were also actively involved in Jewish causes, even experiencing tense moments during a trip to Russia while advocating for Soviet Jews during the Refusenik movement.
Dr. Steven Brant last saw his mother two weeks before her tragic death, and he reflects on her absence in his life and the lives of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Despite the decades that have passed, the family remains hopeful that the case will finally be resolved. Dr. Brant expressed the importance of finding closure and seeing justice served, emphasizing the indelible impact of such a loss.
Detective Denham echoes this sentiment, hoping that renewed interest in the case will encourage individuals with information to come forward. "People move away, and they're not as fearful as they would've been when it actually happened," she noted. "We're just hoping that somebody heard something, or knows something, and that they're willing to come forward."
Anyone possessing information related to Shirley Brant's murder is urged to contact the North Miami Beach Police Department at 305-949-5500 ext. 2521 or reach out to Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. As the case is reopened with modern investigative techniques, there is optimism that justice may yet be served for Shirley Brant and her grieving family.
Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj
Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
The latest on Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Justice for Harmony Montgomery, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com