TAMPA, Fla. — Family and friends gathered at Ballast Point Park Monday night to honor the life of 23-year-old Brittany Collett.
- Collett killed last week while visiting boyfriend in Detroit
- Boyfriend now accused of second-degree murder
- Collett leaves behind young son
Collett was killed in what her family calls a domestic violence crime. Her mother said she was visiting her boyfriend in Detroit last week when she was murdered.
Detroit Police tell us her boyfriend, 20-year-old Tykese Keaton-Baldwin, has been charged with second-degree murder in the case. Keaton-Baldwin, a former Plant High School running back, reportedly beat her to death on August 11.
Collett leaves behind a young son. Her mother, Kathleen Whiting, said more needs to be done to prevent tragedies like this one.
“My daughter was a beautiful ... she was like an angel, and I’m so glad she gets to be with her nana now, and I’ll get to see her one day," Whiting said. "This should’ve been me not my daughter. My daughter’s got her whole life and he took it from her."
Mindy Murphy from The Spring of Tampa Bay was also at the vigil by request from Collett’s friends. She said this isn’t the first time she’s been to a vigil like this, but she’s hoping that prevention will stop at least some of these deaths from happening.
“Nobody should be going through what this family is going through today," Murphy said. "Nobody’s life should be cut short because of domestic violence. It is preventable if we all work together to stop it."
Collett’s mother said the her daughter will be cremated and her remains will be sent from Detroit to the Bay area.
The family has started a GoFund me account to help with Collett’s three year old son. To donate to the fund, click HERE.
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