Brandyn Beard was a bubbly, outgoing person who doted on his English bulldog, Holly.
“He treated that dog better than he treated himself,” his sister, Tyra Washington, said. “Everyone who knows Brandyn knows Holly was his baby girl. He threw parties for her, got her doggie cupcakes and dressed her in doggie clothes.”
Brandyn was born Dec. 16, 1978 in Philadelphia. He was shy as a child, but as he got older, he gained confidence and became a leader. He was elected vice president of his class at Olney High School and graduated in 1997.
After graduating from college with a degree in mental health studies, he worked with troubled youth within the Philadelphia School District. Most recently, he was employed with Executive Health Resources as an administrative assistant.
Tyra, who is six years older than Brandyn, had a close relationship with her brother. Rather than calling each other by their actual names, they referred to each other as “brother” and “sister,” and she said the only reason why she’d come over the bridge from her home in South Jersey was to see him.
Brandyn’s warm personality drew people to him, and he had a wide circle of friends. He took an interest in other people’s goals and did what he could to help and encourage those around him. But he wasn’t always open about how he felt inside.
“Even if he was going through personal, emotional issues you’d never know,” she said. “He was a people pleaser.”
Tyra said he always seemed to have new friends. On the night of Dec. 28, 2017, he had a couple friends over to his apartment at 12th and Brandywine in the Spring Garden section of the city, including a man he didn’t know very well. Brandyn most likely wasn’t aware that this man had recently robbed a gas station.
Brandyn and the man got into an argument that became heated, and Brandyn was shot. The attack was caught on Brandyn’s home security cameras and the suspect was arrested three weeks later.
“I don’t feel hate toward him,” Tyra said. “I’m just sad about the whole situation. I’m glad that he’s caught and that’s one chapter I can close. It’s just sad. What pushes someone to do this?”
Tyra was tasked with making Brandyn’s funeral arrangements and turned to GoFundMe to help raise money to cover the costs. The response was overwhelming — donations poured in from Brandyn’s friends, allowing her to pay for his cremation.
Tyra last spoke to Brandyn about a week before Christmas. They made plans to get together after the holidays to exchange gifts. He was looking forward to spoiling his 10-year-old nephew, Tyra’s son. But their get together never happened.
“My brother knew I loved him, and I know he loved me,” she said. “My heart is broken.”
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