Brian Allen, a 21-year-old resident of West Palm Beach, Florida, tragically lost his life on March 14, 2017. His death, along with that of his twin brother Brandon, was the result of a brutal homicide. The twins were shot and killed in the garage of an apartment they shared with their sister and the accused, Jullian Cathirell. The incident stemmed from a dispute over household issues and Brandon's desire to purchase a gun, which Cathirell, who was on probation, opposed.
On the evening of March 14, Cathirell shot Brian in the stomach and Brandon in the forearm. When Brandon attempted to flee, Cathirell's accomplice, Darin Byrd, blocked his path and pushed him back into the line of fire. Cathirell then shot both brothers again, killing them.
Following the murders, Cathirell and Byrd wrapped the bodies in plastic and bedding and stored them in the bathtub until the next evening. They then transported the bodies to a remote area along the Beeline Highway, where they set them on fire. The charred remains were discovered by a passerby who noticed the fire and alerted authorities. The investigation led to the arrests of Cathirell and Byrd, who were charged with multiple offenses, including first-degree and second-degree murder, tampering with evidence, and unlawful disturbance of a body.
During the trial, prosecutors argued that the murders were premeditated, citing evidence that Cathirell had obtained a gun the day before the killings and had sent a photograph of the blood-stained garage floor to his girlfriend. Cathirell's defense claimed he acted in self-defense, fearing for his safety due to an ongoing dispute with Brandon. However, the jury found Cathirell guilty of first-degree murder for Brandon's death and second-degree murder for Brian's death. He was also convicted of tampering with evidence and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Cathirell was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Byrd, who admitted to helping dispose of the bodies out of fear for his own life, was convicted of second-degree murder and two counts of evidence tampering. He was sentenced to life in prison, with additional consecutive sentences for the tampering charges. The case brought some measure of justice to the Allen family, though the loss of Brian and Brandon remains a profound tragedy.
