Donald Steven Dubray: Florida man stabs brother to death over eviction notice, then goes to sleep with dead body lying nearby
PEMBROKE PINES, FLORIDA: Donald Steven Dubray, a 61-year-old resident of Florida, was arrested this week after allegedly killing his 63-year-old brother, Edgar Ernest Dubray.
The motive behind the horrific incident appears to be a dispute stemming from Edgar's decision to formally evict his younger brother from the family home.
(Broward County Sheriff’s Office)
Donald Steven Dubray was 'found asleep' during arrest
Officers of the Pembroke Pines Police Department received a call for a welfare check at a residence in the 300 block of SW 71st Avenue, located about 20 miles north of Miami.
Upon arrival, first responders encountered "some unusual circumstances" that prompted them to enter the home, although the details of these circumstances remain undisclosed. Inside the residence, they discovered Edgar with multiple stab wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
What are the charges against Donald Steven Dubray?
The police's search of the house also led to the discovery of another adult male, Donald, who was found "asleep in bed." Donald has been charged with one count of second-degree murder without premeditation in connection with the death of his brother, Edgar, as revealed by records obtained by Law&Crime.
In a statement, the police department shared, "Our initial investigation revealed that the two males located inside the residence are brothers. Following an extensive investigation, 61-year-old Donald Steven Dubray was taken into custody for 2nd Degree Murder. The incident was determined to be isolated and domestic in nature, and at no time was there any threat to the surrounding community."
What led to the tragic killing?
Maj. Al Xiques of the Pembroke Pines Police shed some light on the motive behind the crime. Investigators believe that the dispute between the brothers revolved around the eviction notice Edgar served to Donald.
Edgar, who had owned the residence since 1999, informed his brother that he had 24 hours to vacate the premises. Donald had been residing there since around 2021.
Court records from May 30, 2023, show that Edgar had filed a complaint for unlawful detainer against his brother, indicating his intention to remove Donald from the property. The complaint revealed that Edgar had revoked his consent for his brother to remain in the dwelling and had demanded that he vacate the premises.
On August 25, a Broward County Circuit Court judge issued a default judgment in the case and issued a writ of possession, authorizing the sheriff to post a notice of removal on the property and remove anyone aside from the owner from the premises.