North Carolina’s Haitian family mourns and struggles to raise $65K to bury loved ones killed in triple stabbing

A Haitian family in Fayetteville, North Carolina, is reeling from a tragic act of violence after three family members were fatally stabbed in their home on Feb. 21, 2025. The victims—77-year-old Béatrice Désir, 13-year-old Gloria Darbouze and 4-year-old Garmaelle Joseph—were allegedly killed by 26-year-old Mackendy Darbouze, a relative who had recently arrived in the United States from Haiti.

As they prepare to lay their loved ones to rest, the family is struggling to raise $65,000 to cover funeral expenses. They have turned to the community for support through a GoFundMe campaign organized by Pastor Maxime Darbouze—father of Gloria, uncle of Garmaelle and son of Béatrice.

“This tragedy is incredibly devastating for the family,” Pastor Darbouze told The Haitian Times, his voice filled with emotion. “Each time I recount this horrible story that happened in my peaceful and Godly home, it makes me sick to my stomach. I could not foresee this happening. Everyone was calm, and there was no issue whatsoever in the house. This is extremely hard and unfortunate,” he said.

At the time of the tragedy, a total of 10 people were living in the home. This included Pastor Darbouze, his wife and their four children, including the 13-year-old Gloria, who was stabbed. Also living in the house were Darbouze’s mother, Béatrice Désir, who was killed, his brother-in-law, the father of 4-year-old victim Garmaelle Joseph and Mackendy, the man charged with the triple murder.

Darbouze is the senior pastor of Heavenly Kingdom Ministries International church in Lumberton, North Carolina, which has a burgeoning and bustling Haitian community. 

Community support is needed for funeral expenses

With the unexpected loss of the three family members, the financial strain has been overwhelming. The family is now turning to the Haitian community and the public for help to cover hefty burial costs.

The GoFundMe campaign titled “Fundraiser for Béatrice, Gloria, and Garmaelle Burial” is now accepting donations from anyone who wishes to contribute. As of Saturday night, March 8, the campaign had raised only $9,219 from 23 supporters. Additionally, the family has received a federal grant of $10,000 from the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC).

Beyond financial help, Pastor Darbouze asked for emotional solidarity and psychological support.

“We [the Darbouze family] can’t carry that burden alone,” he said. “We kindly beg for community assistance in any amount, as well as everyone’s prayer.” 

A brutal attack  inside the Fayetteville home

Fayetteville police responded to a 911 call at a residence on the morning of Feb. 21. Upon their arrival at the address, officers were greeted by Mackendy Darbouze, who answered the door with blood on his face, hands and pants. When they entered the home, the officers discovered the three victims dead from multiple stab wounds, along with a bloody knife. 

Authorities arrested the 26-year-old Darbouze at the scene. He was charged with three counts of first-degree murder and taken into custody. He could be looking at life in prison without parole or the death penalty if found guilty.

The accused Haitian man made his first court appearance in Cumberland County, North Carolina, on Monday, Feb. 24. During that hearing, he claimed his innocence in the triple stabbing. However, according to investigators, footage of video surveillance has shown the 26-year-old man walking around with a knife. A knife with blood on it was also found in his room, authorities said.

On the morning of Feb. 21, Mackendy and the 77-year-old grandmother, Béatrice, were the only two adults in the home. Pastor Maxime, his wife and his brother-in-law were away.

Pastor Maxime said that the 911 call was made by his 11-year-old son, who witnessed the horrific incident and rushed to lock himself and his younger sister inside his room to escape death. 

Pastor Maxime Darbouze sponsored Mackendy under the Biden humanitarian parole program to legally enter the United States in July 2024. Mackendy was accompanied by the pastor’s wife’s brother and his four-year-old daughter, Garmaelle Joseph, who was tragically killed in the triple stabbing.

According to ABC11, the Fayetteville Police Department called the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for assistance with the investigation. Darbouze, who only speaks Creole, needed an interpreter to answer questions from investigators. ICE officials confirmed that Darbouze had legally entered the U.S. but have now placed a detainer on him, indicating he could face deportation proceedings after his criminal case.

Aerial Chatman, a defense attorney representing Darbouze in the first hearing, told an ABC11 reporter that he was learning about the case to know what to do as a next step.  “We’re still learning about this case. It is very, very new. And as information comes along, we’ll file more motions and work on this mine as the next step,” Chatman said. 

Haitian community mourns the devastating losses

The Haitian community in North Carolina and beyond has expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, with many rallying behind the grieving family.

This incident has also raised concerns about mental health awareness, domestic violence and community support for recent Haitian immigrants, as many face challenges adjusting to life in the U.S.

As the Darbouze family mourns, they hope that the generosity of the community will help them honor their loved ones with a proper burial. This call has been amplified on social media by Atlanta-based immigration lawyer Lana Joseph, who urged the Haitian diaspora in a video to support Pastor Darbouse and his family.

The post North Carolina’s Haitian family mourns and struggles to raise $65K to bury loved ones killed in triple stabbing appeared first on The Haitian Times.

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North Carolina’s Haitian family mourns and struggles to raise $65K to bury loved ones killed in triple stabbing was first posted on March 9, 2025 at 2:57 pm.