Gone South You Might Like: Murder at The U - A suspect awaiting trial and a murder still unsolved
Mar 13, 2026
Dan Arruda, ESPN feature producer and reporter who helped investigate the Brian Pata case. He recounts filming Brian’s life and the shock of his 2006 killing. The story covers how the case went cold, a surprising tip to reporters, interviews with the Pata family, college football culture in Little Haiti, and the rise of a teammate as a suspect now facing trial.
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Last Happy Tour Before The Murder
- Manny Navarro filmed a playful MTV Cribs–style tour with Brian Pata showing his townhouse and family photos.
- The footage captured Brian joking, proud, and hopeful weeks before he was killed, highlighting how abruptly his life ended.
High Profile Case That Went Cold
- Despite Brian's high-profile status as a University of Miami starter, his 2006 murder did not get solved quickly and became a cold case.
- The gap between public shock and investigative momentum left the family waiting nearly two decades for answers.
Police Reached Out To ESPN For Leads
- Miami-Dade detectives unusually reached out to ESPN proposing collaboration to generate new leads on the cold case.
- That outreach signaled both investigative frustration and a strategy to use media attention to prompt tips.