On January 9, 2023, 60-year-old Marie Noel, a well-known member of the homeless community in Miami, was found shot to death in a grassy area near Northwest 17th Avenue and 28th Street in the Allapattah neighborhood of Miami-Dade County. Her death was part of a tragic series of events, as just one day later, another homeless individual, 61-year-old Bradley Griffith, was also found shot and killed a few blocks away, in the area of Northwest 38th Street and 22nd Avenue.
The investigations into these murders were conducted jointly by the Miami and Miami-Dade Police departments. Surveillance footage and ShotSpotter technology played crucial roles in linking the two incidents and identifying a suspect. The police released footage of a man believed to be responsible for both killings, described as being between 20-30 years old, 5-foot-7 to 5-foot-10, with a medium build and dark hair/goatee.
On June 15, 2023, authorities announced the arrest of 30-year-old Kenneth Allen Bent in connection with the murders of Marie Noel and Bradley Griffith. Bent, who had a prior conviction for robbery and aggravated battery and was released from prison on June 3, 2022, was charged with two counts of first-degree murder and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. The motive behind the crimes is still being investigated, but it is clear that the intent was malicious, particularly given the vulnerability of the victims.
The community and law enforcement emphasized the importance of protecting vulnerable populations, with Miami-Dade Police Director Alfredo Ramirez highlighting the collaborative effort of law enforcement to ensure justice for all members of the community, regardless of their financial status. The case drew significant attention from homeless advocates, who stressed the need to protect and support those experiencing homelessness.
