FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – A 19-year-old woman who was fatally shot early Monday outside a Fort Lauderdale Airbnb during what police describe as a party that spiraled into chaos and violence is being mourned by her loved ones as a hero and protector.
Myrah Zeigler was killed around 4:30 a.m. after a fight broke out among a group of adults near a rental property in the city’s River Oaks neighborhood, according to Fort Lauderdale police.
Officers said a man pulled a handgun and shot Zeigler, who resided in Fort Pierce, during the disturbance.
They said she was found lying in the roadway near the 900 block of Southwest 16th Street, not far from Gore Betz Park and several school bus stops. Paramedics rushed her to Broward Health Medical Center, where she later died.
“She died being a protector,” said her aunt, Taylor Jones.
Zeigler’s grandmother, Patty McFadden, fought back tears as she remembered her granddaughter’s bravery and kindness.
“We love Myrah. Myrah was somebody … (my) first grandbaby who I loved and adored. I call (her) my grand angel,” she said.
Inside the duplex-style Airbnb, the aftermath of the party was clear — broken furniture, glass shards, and an estimated $15,000 in damages.
The unit had been rented for a three-day stay by two people, property managers said. They began receiving noise complaints and text messages about a loud party around 4:30 a.m.
Cleaning crews arrived Tuesday to remove the damaged furniture and survey the destruction.
A man named Ismael who stayed in the neighboring unit with his daughter recalled hearing chaos through the walls.
“I heard the mace and I heard all the women screaming and the guys yelling,” said Ismael. “They were screaming, crying, throwing glass, and next thing you know, we started hearing a fight.”
When things escalated, he texted the Airbnb manager and warned he was calling 911.
“But inside the house, I did hear, ‘I’m going to shoot you! I’m going to shoot you!’” Ismael said. “I would say about 10 minutes later I hear ‘boof, boof,’ then helicopters start flying around.”
He and his daughter stayed inside, too afraid to intervene. He later saw first responders performing chest compressions on Zeigler in the street.
“It’s not a great way to wake up Monday morning in River Oaks, especially right at our Gore Betz Park and there’s bus stops along the way,” said Ted Inserra, president of the River Oaks Civic Association. “It’s very concerning.”
An Airbnb spokesperson said the company has temporarily suspended the listing while the investigation is ongoing.
“Disruptive parties are rare on Airbnb,” the spokesperson said. “We have brought in measures to help enforce our ban on disruptive parties and to support communities.”
Airbnb said fewer than 0.035% of reservations in 2024 resulted in a party allegation. The company cited measures such as reservation screening, seasonal enforcement boosts, and a 24-hour safety line to help prevent incidents like this.
Fort Lauderdale police said no arrests have been made and the investigation remains active.
Anyone with information is urged to contact FLPD Detective Saint-Jean at 954-828-5570 or Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS. Callers can remain anonymous.
