Bradenton family of slain couple pleads at vigil for help solving crime

BRADENTON -- At dusk Saturday, the family of homicide victims Kantral Markeith Brooks and his girlfriend, Esther Deneus, gathered for a vigil outside the home where the couple lived and died.

Brooks' teal Lincoln Town Car sat in the center of the yard as more than 100 family members and friends prayed, spoke a few words and then released balloons in their honor.

Brooks parents were inconsolable, their loud sobs heard over those who spoke.

His cousin, Robert Cummings, urged the crowd to speak up and report whatever they know about the murders. It's not snitching, he said, and this could happen to you or your family.

His mother also urged cooperation in helping authorities solve the crime.

"That's my son and I love him," Marianne Brooks said. "Somebody out here needs to tell what happened."

Before releasing the balloons, family members also remembered Deneus and prayed for her and her family.

Detectives continued Saturday to investigate the fatal shootings of the couple in their rented Bradenton home.

At 3:51 a.m. Thursday, police responded to the 3900 block of Southern Parkway West when a home security alarm system was triggered by a break-in. Police found Deneus and her boyfriend, Brooks, both 29, shot to death in their home.

Their five children, all between the ages of 1 and 11, were home at the time and at least one saw the killings, officials said. No injuries to the children were reported.

Surveillance footage from the front porch shows three masked intruders walking up to the home's front-door windows, one breaking the door's glass window with a brick and then repeatedly shooting into the home before going inside.

Brooks was shot near the door and Deneus was shot farther inside the home. With a four-second video delay before the subjects entered, police say they cannot determine where the victims had been. Exit video was inconclusive, too.

No arrests have been made.

On Saturday, several detectives with the Manatee County Homicide Investigative Unit continued to follow up on tips hoping for a break in the case.

Family and friends of the victims have taken to social media to express their feelings. Just hours after the shootings, one of Brooks' cousin indicated on Facebook money may have been a motive.

An official motive for the fatal shootings has not yet been released by investigators.

The couple's children are in the care of family members while child services officials continue to work with them.

BioLogic Clean and Restore of Sarasota, an emergency cleanup service and restoration crew, was at the home where Brooks and Deneus were killed. The company, which specializes in biohazardous cleanup, was contracted to clean the home by the couple's landlord.

Late Thursday afternoon, the home was released by police after technicians finished processing the crime scene.

Lori Barnes, owner and president Suncoast College of Health in Bradenton, where Deneus was a registered nursing student, set up a gofundme account to help raise money to go toward the couple's burial and to help settle their children. As of 6:25 p.m. Saturday, the fund has raised $5,215 of its $10,000 listed goal. To donate, go to gofundme.com/yz8m7k.

Anyone with information can call Bradenton police Detective Jeff Beckley at 941-932-9300, ext. 356, or to remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000 by calling Crime Stoppers at 866-634-8477 or send an anonymous e-tip through the web.

Jessica De Leon, Herald law enforcement reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7049. You can follow her on Twitter @JDeLeon1012.

This story was originally published July 12, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Bradenton family of slain couple pleads at vigil for help solving crime."