PEMBROKE PINES, Fla. — Authorities have identified the victims in a brutal double homicide that has left a Pembroke Pines neighborhood reeling. Tiara Belizaire-Young, 24, and Octavis Myers were discovered dead inside a home on the 1700 block of Northwest 109th Avenue on Wednesday, September 10.
Police quickly identified 27-year-old Isaiah Collins as the prime suspect. He has since been arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree murder with a firearm after a dramatic manhunt and capture.
Victims Discovered in Family Home
Responding officers found Belizaire-Young and Myers inside the residence, which authorities say is owned by Collins’ grandmother. The killings are believed to have been connected to a domestic dispute earlier in the week.
The tragedy is particularly painful for Belizaire-Young’s family. Her mother told NBC6 that Tiara was just 24 years old and would have celebrated her 25th birthday on the very day her body was found. The devastating coincidence has left her loved ones in shock.
Friends described Belizaire-Young as a “bright, loving, and full-of-life young woman” whose future was cut short. Myers, the second victim, is remembered as a kind and caring man whose loss has also shaken the community.
A Dramatic Manhunt Ends in Miami Gardens
After the killings, Collins fled the Pembroke Pines area, sparking an intensive search involving multiple law enforcement agencies.
On Sunday, September 14, an off-duty deputy with the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office spotted Collins in Miami Gardens. When officers attempted to arrest him, Collins fled on foot, leading police on a chaotic chase.
The pursuit saw Collins run across the Florida Turnpike, leap into a canal, and climb into a tree in an attempt to evade capture. At one point, authorities say he reached toward his waistband, prompting a deputy to open fire, striking him in the lower arm.
Collins was subdued, treated at a nearby hospital, and later booked into jail. He is now being held without bond.
Charges and Legal Proceedings
Collins faces two charges of first-degree murder with a firearm, among other possible counts that could be filed as the investigation progresses. Under Florida law, a conviction could result in life imprisonment or the death penalty.
Investigators are still piecing together the sequence of events leading up to the murders, but early reports suggest that the violence may have been tied to a domestic violence dispute.
Community Reaction and Grief
The double homicide has deeply unsettled the Pembroke Pines community. Neighbors have described the area as quiet and family-oriented, unaccustomed to such brutal violence. Many residents have gathered to leave flowers and candles outside the home where the victims were found, turning it into a makeshift memorial.
Belizaire-Young’s death has sparked particular sorrow due to her young age and the tragic timing of her birthday. “It’s just heartbreaking — she was taken from us far too soon,” her mother said, fighting back tears.
Community leaders are calling for support for both grieving families. “This tragedy is a painful reminder of how quickly lives can be shattered by violence,” one local advocate said.
Looking Ahead
Collins will face his first court appearance in the coming days, where prosecutors are expected to outline the full scope of charges. The case will likely draw close public attention, not only because of the shocking violence but also because of the dramatic manhunt and arrest.
For the families of Tiara Belizaire-Young and Octavis Myers, the path forward will be long and difficult. Both victims are being remembered with love, and their families say they will not rest until justice is served.
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