Doreen Broadbelt Obituary, Death Cause – Authorities have identified the woman who tragically lost her life in a suspected dog attack in Miami Gardens on Monday morning. The victim, 71-year-old Doreen Broadbelt, was discovered unresponsive near Northwest 196th Terrace and 14th Court, close to Hard Rock Stadium.
According to Miami Gardens Police, officers were dispatched to the area around 7:40 a.m. after receiving reports of a woman lying on the ground. When they arrived, they found Broadbelt next to a trailer, suffering from apparent dog bite injuries. Paramedics pronounced her dead at the scene.
Family members later confirmed that Broadbelt was on her way to work at Walmart when the fatal attack occurred. They revealed she had often expressed concern about dogs in the neighborhood, explaining that she felt unsafe because the animals frequently harassed her during her morning walks. Her daughter, Lateisha Wilkinson, said that her mother carried a stick for protection. “They always attacking her. She even got a stick, I even got her a stick,” Wilkinson explained, highlighting how her mother feared the neighborhood dogs.
Broadbelt’s husband, Donovan, spoke with reporters about her character and the legacy she leaves behind. Married for 20 years, he described her as a caring woman who dedicated herself to family and community alike. “She cared for our family a lot,” he said. “She cares for those who are in need, whether it’s at work or anywhere. If she can see the need, she will try to help out, reach out.”
On Tuesday, grieving relatives visited the site of the attack to lay flowers in Broadbelt’s memory. Overcome with emotion, Wilkinson expressed the depth of her loss. “I’m literally at my lowest right now,” she said. “Don’t know where to start, don’t know what to say, I don’t know what to do.”
The tragedy has also shaken the local community. Neighbor Anthony Vincent Varone shared his disbelief, saying, “It’s upsetting. You never think this is going to happen. She lived her whole life, and then this happened to her. It’s sad, man.”
Animal control officers were seen in the neighborhood on Monday afternoon, swabbing dogs for DNA samples as part of the investigation. Officials are working to determine whether one or multiple dogs were responsible for the fatal mauling. However, by Tuesday, animal control was no longer present in the area, leaving some residents anxious and unsettled.
As of Tuesday afternoon, Miami Gardens Police had not issued further updates or responded to media requests for comment. The circumstances surrounding the dogs involved, including whether they belonged to residents or were roaming freely, remain under investigation.
The sudden death of Doreen Broadbelt has left her family devastated, with loved ones remembering her as a woman who dedicated her life to caring for others. Her loss has also drawn attention to concerns about stray and unrestrained dogs in the neighborhood, with residents now questioning safety measures in their community.
