Florida Gay Man Dies After Assault

Gay Wilton Manors, Fla., resident Craig Cohen, 47, died in hospice care after a brutal attack on the night of April 6 that left him in a coma for six months.

Cohen, an avid animal lover, was leaving a diner three blocks from his home when he was assaulted by a group of four men who repeatedly stomped his head against the pavement, fracturing his skull. Minutes later, David Villanova, who is also gay, was attacked after he left a nearby bar. Villanova has since recovered.

Police later arrested 21-year-old Victor Gonzalez and 25-year-old Pargu Leandro in connection with the crime; earlier in the day the two had been drinking, smoking marijuana, and talking about beating someone up for fun. They now face robbery, assault, and possible murder charges.

Though police had originally considered the attacks hate crimes since both victims were gay, investigators later determined Cohen and Villanova were targeted because they were alone, not because of their sexual orientation.

The Craig Cohen Animal Advocacy Project and Cohen's friends and family will hold a candlelight vigil in Wilton Manors on October 15 to commemorate his life.