Miami

Artist Killed in Hollywood Scaffolding Collapse Identified

Raymond Brown was assisting with a mural painting at a Hollywood Building

Family members have identified an artist who was killed Monday when the scaffolding he was on collapsed at a Hollywood building while he was assisting with a mural painting.

Raymond Brown was originally from New Jersey and had worked at Perez Art Museum in Miami since it opened in 2013, family members and PAMM officials said Tuesday.

"Hard to speak right now. Our son was our entire life. He loved his work. He loved his adopted home in South Florida and he loved his many friends within Miami's art community. We are devastated," his family said in a statement.

Brown was assisting a mural artist at the Hyde Resorts and Residence off Ocean Drive in Hollywood when the scaffolding they were on collapsed 40 feet from the side of the building.

Brown and another victim were rushed to Memorial Regional Hospital where he later died. The third victim was held in place by a safety harness and survived with minor injuries.

Police on Tuesday identified the other two victims as 36-year-old Douglas Hoekzema of Boca Raton and 36-year-old Jonathan Olsen of Miami.

"Our PAMMily is heartbroken to hear of the passing of Raymond Brown. Ray was a beloved core member of our art handling prep team. He was a talented artist and musician with a great attitude. Hardworking and dependable, Ray began working with PAMM in 2013 to help open our building. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time," PAMM Director Franklin Sirmans said in a statement.

Investigators from Hollywood Police, Fire Inspectors and OSHA are working to determine what caused the collapse.

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