Overview:
A Haitian American household in Fayetteville, North Carolina, is mourning the tragic deaths of three family members allegedly stabbed by a relative, 26-year-old man Mackendy Darbouze. As Pastor Maxime Darbouze and kinfolk put together for the highly-emotional funeral on March 22, they face a $65,000 monetary burden, turning to the neighborhood for help.
A Haitian household in Fayetteville, North Carolina, is reeling from a tragic act of violence after three members of the family had been fatally stabbed of their residence on Feb. 21, 2025. The victims—77-year-old Béatrice Désir, 13-year-old Gloria Darbouze and 4-year-old Garmaelle Joseph—had been allegedly killed by 26-year-old Mackendy Darbouze, a relative who had just lately arrived in the USA from Haiti.
As they put together to put their family members to relaxation, the household is struggling to boost $65,000 to cowl funeral bills. They’ve turned to the neighborhood for help via a GoFundMe campaign organized by Pastor Maxime Darbouze—-father of Gloria, uncle of Garmaelle and son of Béatrice.
“This tragedy is extremely devastating for the household,” Pastor Darbouze advised The Haitian Occasions, his voice full of emotion. “Every time I recount this horrible story that occurred in my peaceable and Godly residence, it makes me sick to my abdomen. I couldn’t foresee this taking place. Everybody was calm, and there was no problem by any means in the home. That is extraordinarily laborious and unlucky,” he mentioned.
On the time of the tragedy, a complete of 10 individuals had been dwelling within the residence. This included Pastor Darbouze, his spouse and their 4 kids, together with the 13-year-old Gloria, who was stabbed. Additionally dwelling in the home had been Darbouze’s mom, Béatrice Désir, who was killed, his brother-in-law, the daddy of 4-year-old sufferer Garmaelle Joseph and Mackendy, the person charged with the triple homicide.
Darbouze is the senior pastor of Heavenly Kingdom Ministries International church in Lumberton, North Carolina, which has a burgeoning and bustling Haitian neighborhood.
Group help is required for funeral bills
With the sudden lack of the three members of the family, the monetary pressure has been overwhelming. The household is now turning to the Haitian neighborhood and the general public for assist to cowl hefty burial prices.
The GoFundMe marketing campaign titled “Fundraiser for Béatrice, Gloria, and Garmaelle Burial” is now accepting donations from anybody who needs to contribute. As of Saturday night time, March 8, the marketing campaign had raised solely $9,219 from 23 supporters. Moreover, the household has obtained a federal grant of $10,000 from the Workplace for Victims of Crime (OVC).
Past monetary assist, Pastor Darbouze requested for emotional solidarity and psychological help.
“We [the Darbouze family] can’t carry that burden alone,” he mentioned. “We kindly beg for neighborhood help in any quantity, in addition to everybody’s prayer.”
A brutal assault contained in the Fayetteville residence
Fayetteville police responded to a 911 name at a residence on the morning of Feb. 21. Upon their arrival on the tackle, officers had been greeted by Mackendy Darbouze, who answered the door with blood on his face, fingers and pants. Once they entered the house, the officers found the three victims useless from a number of stab wounds, together with a bloody knife.
Authorities arrested the 26-year-old Darbouze on the scene. He was charged with three counts of first-degree homicide and brought into custody. He could possibly be taking a look at life in jail with out parole or the demise penalty if discovered responsible.
The accused Haitian synthetic his first courtroom look in Cumberland County, North Carolina, on Monday, Feb. 24. Throughout that listening to, he claimed his innocence within the triple stabbing. Nonetheless, in line with investigators, footage of video surveillance has proven the 26-year-old man strolling round with a knife. A knife with blood on it was additionally present in his room, authorities mentioned.
On the morning of Feb. 21, Mackendy and the 77-year-old grandmother, Béatrice, had been the one two adults within the residence. Pastor Maxime, his spouse and his brother-in-law had been away.
Pastor Maxime mentioned that the 911 name was made by his 11-year-old son, who witnessed the horrific incident and rushed to lock himself and his youthful sister inside his room to flee demise.
Pastor Maxime Darbouze sponsored Mackendy below the Biden humanitarian parole program to legally enter the USA in July 2024. Mackendy was accompanied by the pastor’s spouse’s brother and his four-year-old daughter, Garmaelle Joseph, who was tragically killed within the triple stabbing.
In accordance with ABC11, the Fayetteville Police Division known as the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for help with the investigation. Darbouze, who solely speaks Creole, wanted an interpreter to reply questions from investigators. ICE officers confirmed that Darbouze had legally entered the U.S. however have now positioned a detainer on him, indicating he might face deportation proceedings after his felony case.
Aerial Chatman, a protection lawyer representing Darbouze within the first listening to, advised an ABC11 reporter that he was studying in regards to the case to know what to do as a subsequent step. “We’re nonetheless studying about this case. It is vitally, very new. And as info comes alongside, we’ll file extra motions and work on this mine as the subsequent step,” Chatman mentioned.
The Haitian neighborhood in North Carolina and past has expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, with many rallying behind the grieving household.
This incident has additionally raised issues about psychological well being consciousness, home violence and neighborhood help for latest Haitian immigrants, as many face challenges adjusting to life within the U.S.
Because the Darbouze household mourns, they hope that the generosity of the neighborhood will assist them honor their family members with a correct burial. This name has been amplified on social media by Atlanta-based immigration lawyer Lana Joseph, who urged the Haitian diaspora in a video to help Pastor Darbouse and his household.