The owner of West
Palm Beach, Fla., gay hot spot H.G. Roosters was
found beaten and stabbed to death Friday in his
condominium, the Palm Beach Post reported Saturday.
Also discovered was the body of the owner's
ex-boyfriend hanging from a strap slung over a closed
bedroom door.
Police went
to Michael Brown's home about 5 p.m. Friday after he
failed to show up for work or answer phone calls. They found
his body inside as well as the body of his
ex-boyfriend, Brant Hines.
Neighbors heard
"shouting and crashing" late Wednesday night, the
Post reported. On Thursday Hines was
spotted with a black eye when he came out to walk Brown's
dogs and assist a neighbor who had lost some apartment
keys. Police believe Hines killed Brown about that
time and himself hours later.
Members of the
community gathered at a candlelight vigil held Saturday
night at H.G. Roosters. Brown was a known philanthropist in
several circles. Last year he was presented with the
Comprehensive AIDS Program's Fundraiser Extraordinaire
Award. He also raised money for organizations such as
Toys for Tots.
Brown's bar was
not only a local community spot for the LGBT community,
but it also "was about making sure that gay people had
a place to go and feel comfortable," Tim Carey, one of
Brown's friends, told the Post. (The
Advocate)