Miami

Family of Slain Miami Hurricanes Player Bryan Pata Still Searching for Answers Over 10 Years After Death

Over a decade after his tragic murder outside of an apartment complex, the family of one former Miami Hurricanes football player continues to hold out hope that his killer will be caught.

Family members gatheredat Miami-Dade Police headquarters Tuesday to remember Bryan Pata, who was shot in the head outside his Kendall home on November 7, 2006. Police have never closed the investigation into the case and continue following leads.

"Ten years and a half and we haven't heard nothing," said his mother Jeannette Pata. "We've wait so long to find the answer: who killed my son."

Pata was a Miami native who played at North Miami High School and Central High School before committing to UM. He was a starter for the 2006 team at defensive tackle and was projected by some to be selected in the NFL Draft the following year.

"Charismatic, funny energetic, big piece of our family," said his brother, Edwin Pierre-Pata, who played college football at the same time for FIU and later Florida State. "We kept our family through sports."

"We just need answers and want to put this case to rest," said brother Patrick Pata.

Anyone with information is being asked to call Miami-Dade CrimeStoppers or the Miami-Dade Police Department. There's a $3,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. 

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