Brian Ricardo Bethell
Broward County Murder Spree
CLASSIFICATION: Spree Killing
LOCATION
Broward County, Florida
TIME PERIOD
February 3–24, 2006
VICTIMS
3 confirmed
Over a three-week period from February 3 to February 24, 2006, a series of murders occurred in Broward County, Florida, where three men—Angel Medina (41), Albert Avenaim (63), and Frederick Gunther (76)—were fatally shot during robberies committed by Brian Ricardo Bethell, a 40-year-old Bahamian native. The incidents began with Bethell robbing two doctors at gunpoint on January 20, followed by the murders of Medina and Avenaim in separate incidents on February 3 and February 10, respectively. Surveillance footage captured Bethell and his girlfriend, Natasha Edwards, using the victims' credit cards shortly after the crimes, leading to their identification and subsequent arrest. Bethell confessed to the murders but died in custody on June 15, 2010, before his trial could commence. Significant evidence included ballistic matches linking the firearm used in Avenaim's murder to that of Medina's, as well as eyewitness accounts and surveillance footage that corroborated the timeline of events.
Brian Bethell's motive for the murders is believed to be robbery, as he targeted victims in vulnerable situations. Some speculate that Bethell may have been struggling financially, leading him to commit these violent acts. Additionally, there is discussion about whether Bethell acted alone or if there were other accomplices involved in the planning of the spree.
The 2006 Broward County Murders: A Deadly Spree in the Sunshine State
In the winter of 2006, the sun-drenched streets of Broward County, Florida, became the backdrop for a chilling series of events that left three men dead and a community in shock. Over the course of three weeks in February, a spree killing unfolded, weaving together elements of desperation, greed, and tragedy.
The Murders
The sequence of events began on February 3, 2006. Angel Pedro Medina, a 41-year-old accountant, was on a routine stop at a convenience store in Fort Lauderdale. What began as an ordinary day turned deadly when Brian Ricardo Bethell, a 40-year-old Bahamian native, spotted Medina. Bethell, driven by a sinister intent, followed him to a secluded spot where Medina often fed the homeless. There, Bethell attempted to rob him, but the encounter ended with Medina shot and killed, his body left behind as Bethell made his escape.
A week later, on February 10, the pattern repeated itself. Albert Avenaim, a 63-year-old retired businessman, was outside a restaurant in Hallandale when Bethell approached him in a parking lot. In a matter of moments, Avenaim was robbed, shot, and killed. Surveillance cameras later captured Bethell, along with his 20-year-old girlfriend Natasha Edwards and her two children, using Avenaim's credit card across several locations including Plantation, Sunrise, and Margate, before ending in Carol Springs.
The spree reached its tragic conclusion on February 24. On that day, Bethell approached a condominium and encountered Frederick Gunther, a 76-year-old man, who became the final victim. Gunther was shot and killed without warning, adding another name to Bethell's list of victims.
The Investigation
The investigation into these brutal killings unfolded quickly. Forensic evidence played a pivotal role as a .38-caliber revolver, identified as the murder weapon in both Medina's and Avenaim’s cases, tied the crimes together. A significant break came when workers at a Fort Lauderdale store identified a couple using Gunther's credit card, providing police with a crucial tip—the vehicle's tag number.
This lead allowed investigators to track down Brian Bethell and Natasha Edwards. Both were arrested, with Bethell confessing to the killings. Despite his admission, Bethell claimed that the murder of Medina was an act of self-defense—a claim strongly contested by Medina's family.
The Perpetrator
Brian Ricardo Bethell's life was marked by a long history of criminal behavior. Born in April 1965 in Nassau, Bahamas, Bethell's criminal record began in March 1983, just a month shy of his 18th birthday. He was charged with sexual assault and battery with a deadly weapon, leading to a four-year prison sentence. After his release, Bethell's encounters with the law continued, including arrests for marijuana possession, loitering, larceny, and cocaine possession. His pattern of criminality showed no signs of abating, with further arrests in the 1990s for assaulting a police officer and multiple drug offenses.
In 2005, Bethell settled in a rental on the 400th block of Southwest 65th Avenue with Natasha Edwards and her children. Neighbors later recalled Bethell as a man with a menacing demeanor and a loud mouth, characteristics that foreshadowed the violence to come.
Legal Proceedings and Aftermath
The legal proceedings in the wake of the murders were swift. Brian Bethell faced three counts of first-degree murder, while Natasha Edwards was charged with grand theft. In a tearful jailhouse call to her great-grandmother, Edwards maintained her innocence, placing the blame squarely on Bethell. Ultimately, she was convicted of theft and sentenced to a decade in prison. Bethell, who never swayed responsibility, never faced trial. He died on June 15, 2010, at the age of 45, before seeing a courtroom. Edwards served nine years before her release on May 1, 2015. Her current whereabouts remain unknown.
Conclusion
The 2006 Broward County murders are a haunting chapter in Florida's history, a stark reminder of the darkness that can lurk beneath the sunlit facade of everyday life. The case leaves behind unanswered questions and a legacy of loss for the families of Angel Pedro Medina, Albert Avenaim, and Frederick Gunther.
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First Armed Robbery
Brian Bethell robs two doctors at gunpoint, netting $600.
First Murder
Bethell kills Angel Medina during an attempted robbery.
Second Murder
Bethell shoots and kills Albert Avenaim outside a restaurant.
Third Murder
Bethell kills Frederick Gunther near a condo.
Arrests Made
Bethell and girlfriend Natasha Edwards are arrested after using Gunther's credit card.
Confession
Bethell confesses to all three murders during police questioning.
Bethell Dies
Brian Bethell dies in custody before his trial could begin.
Edwards Released
Natasha Edwards is released from prison after serving nine years.
Over a three-week period from February 3 to February 24, 2006, a series of murders occurred in Broward County, Florida, where three men—Angel Medina (41), Albert Avenaim (63), and Frederick Gunther (76)—were fatally shot during robberies committed by Brian Ricardo Bethell, a 40-year-old Bahamian native. The incidents began with Bethell robbing two doctors at gunpoint on January 20, followed by the murders of Medina and Avenaim in separate incidents on February 3 and February 10, respectively. Surveillance footage captured Bethell and his girlfriend, Natasha Edwards, using the victims' credit cards shortly after the crimes, leading to their identification and subsequent arrest. Bethell confessed to the murders but died in custody on June 15, 2010, before his trial could commence. Significant evidence included ballistic matches linking the firearm used in Avenaim's murder to that of Medina's, as well as eyewitness accounts and surveillance footage that corroborated the timeline of events.
Brian Bethell's motive for the murders is believed to be robbery, as he targeted victims in vulnerable situations. Some speculate that Bethell may have been struggling financially, leading him to commit these violent acts. Additionally, there is discussion about whether Bethell acted alone or if there were other accomplices involved in the planning of the spree.
The 2006 Broward County Murders: A Deadly Spree in the Sunshine State
In the winter of 2006, the sun-drenched streets of Broward County, Florida, became the backdrop for a chilling series of events that left three men dead and a community in shock. Over the course of three weeks in February, a spree killing unfolded, weaving together elements of desperation, greed, and tragedy.
The Murders
The sequence of events began on February 3, 2006. Angel Pedro Medina, a 41-year-old accountant, was on a routine stop at a convenience store in Fort Lauderdale. What began as an ordinary day turned deadly when Brian Ricardo Bethell, a 40-year-old Bahamian native, spotted Medina. Bethell, driven by a sinister intent, followed him to a secluded spot where Medina often fed the homeless. There, Bethell attempted to rob him, but the encounter ended with Medina shot and killed, his body left behind as Bethell made his escape.
A week later, on February 10, the pattern repeated itself. Albert Avenaim, a 63-year-old retired businessman, was outside a restaurant in Hallandale when Bethell approached him in a parking lot. In a matter of moments, Avenaim was robbed, shot, and killed. Surveillance cameras later captured Bethell, along with his 20-year-old girlfriend Natasha Edwards and her two children, using Avenaim's credit card across several locations including Plantation, Sunrise, and Margate, before ending in Carol Springs.
The spree reached its tragic conclusion on February 24. On that day, Bethell approached a condominium and encountered Frederick Gunther, a 76-year-old man, who became the final victim. Gunther was shot and killed without warning, adding another name to Bethell's list of victims.
The Investigation
The investigation into these brutal killings unfolded quickly. Forensic evidence played a pivotal role as a .38-caliber revolver, identified as the murder weapon in both Medina's and Avenaim’s cases, tied the crimes together. A significant break came when workers at a Fort Lauderdale store identified a couple using Gunther's credit card, providing police with a crucial tip—the vehicle's tag number.
This lead allowed investigators to track down Brian Bethell and Natasha Edwards. Both were arrested, with Bethell confessing to the killings. Despite his admission, Bethell claimed that the murder of Medina was an act of self-defense—a claim strongly contested by Medina's family.
The Perpetrator
Brian Ricardo Bethell's life was marked by a long history of criminal behavior. Born in April 1965 in Nassau, Bahamas, Bethell's criminal record began in March 1983, just a month shy of his 18th birthday. He was charged with sexual assault and battery with a deadly weapon, leading to a four-year prison sentence. After his release, Bethell's encounters with the law continued, including arrests for marijuana possession, loitering, larceny, and cocaine possession. His pattern of criminality showed no signs of abating, with further arrests in the 1990s for assaulting a police officer and multiple drug offenses.
In 2005, Bethell settled in a rental on the 400th block of Southwest 65th Avenue with Natasha Edwards and her children. Neighbors later recalled Bethell as a man with a menacing demeanor and a loud mouth, characteristics that foreshadowed the violence to come.
Legal Proceedings and Aftermath
The legal proceedings in the wake of the murders were swift. Brian Bethell faced three counts of first-degree murder, while Natasha Edwards was charged with grand theft. In a tearful jailhouse call to her great-grandmother, Edwards maintained her innocence, placing the blame squarely on Bethell. Ultimately, she was convicted of theft and sentenced to a decade in prison. Bethell, who never swayed responsibility, never faced trial. He died on June 15, 2010, at the age of 45, before seeing a courtroom. Edwards served nine years before her release on May 1, 2015. Her current whereabouts remain unknown.
Conclusion
The 2006 Broward County murders are a haunting chapter in Florida's history, a stark reminder of the darkness that can lurk beneath the sunlit facade of everyday life. The case leaves behind unanswered questions and a legacy of loss for the families of Angel Pedro Medina, Albert Avenaim, and Frederick Gunther.
Sources
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
First Armed Robbery
Brian Bethell robs two doctors at gunpoint, netting $600.
First Murder
Bethell kills Angel Medina during an attempted robbery.
Second Murder
Bethell shoots and kills Albert Avenaim outside a restaurant.
Third Murder
Bethell kills Frederick Gunther near a condo.
Arrests Made
Bethell and girlfriend Natasha Edwards are arrested after using Gunther's credit card.
Confession
Bethell confesses to all three murders during police questioning.
Bethell Dies
Brian Bethell dies in custody before his trial could begin.
Edwards Released
Natasha Edwards is released from prison after serving nine years.