Kandace DaeShawn Young-Washington was a 32-year-old mother from Beaumont, Texas, whose family is determined to keep her memory alive for her children. Her daughter remembers the simple, precious moments they shared, like playing together and just spending time with her mom. For her loved ones, these are the memories that matter most as they navigate the profound loss of a woman taken from them suddenly and violently.
On the night of Saturday, October 17, 2026, Kandace’s life was cut
short. At around 9:00 p.m., she was at the home of her 65-year-old former boyfriend, Patrick Brouchet, in the 2500 block of North 10th Street in central Beaumont. A 911 call was placed by Brouchet himself, who initially told the dispatcher that he had shot an intruder. According to a probable cause affidavit, however, his story shifted. He acknowledged to authorities that he knew the woman was Kandace and had told her to leave. He then claimed he was holding a gun and that it "went off." When Beaumont police officers arrived at the residence, they found Kandace Washington deceased. She had suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the head and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Beaumont Police Department immediately launched a homicide investigation. Detectives questioned Brouchet, who had been in a prior relationship with Washington. Based on the evidence and his conflicting statements, police arrested Patrick Brouchet that same night and charged him with murder. At about 1:30 a.m. on Sunday, he was transported to the Beaumont Police Department for further questioning before being taken to the Jefferson County Jail.
As officers escorted him to a patrol car, Brouchet spoke to a KFDM reporter. He repeatedly called the shooting an accident. "I'm deeply sorry this accident happened," he said. "My deepest sympathy goes out to the family." When asked about his initial claim that he thought Washington was an intruder, Brouchet confirmed there was an "intruder issue" but would not elaborate. "I'd really want to speak to my attorney about that," he stated. "I'm very sorry. Everything goes out to the family, but like I say, it was an accident." He added that if he could take it all back, he would.
Brouchet was booked into the Jefferson County Jail on a murder charge. A judge set his bond at $1 million. If convicted, he faces a potential sentence of life in prison. While Brouchet maintained the shooting was accidental, the authorities proceeded with the murder charge based on their investigation.
In the wake of her death, Kandace’s family was left to mourn and to care for her children. Her daughter’s family spoke of the importance of remembering the simple, happy times they had with Kandace, cherishing the memories of a mother’s presence. The family’s focus turned to supporting her children through the unimaginable tragedy of losing their mother.
As of October 2026, the investigation into Kandace Washington’s death was ongoing. The Beaumont Police Department encouraged anyone with information about the case to contact them at (409) 832-1234. Anonymous tips could also be submitted to Southeast Texas Crime Stoppers at (409) 833-TIPS (8477). The case against Patrick Brouchet was proceeding through the legal system.
