Daughter of Jacksonville grandma killed by grandson over beer had abusive history

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — An 18-year-old man is behind bars for beating his grandmother to death during an argument over beer.

The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office found 69-year-old Joyce Courson bleeding on the floor of the home, but she was able to tell officers that her grandson Dylan Broughman was the person responsible.

According to the incident report, Courson hid Broughman’s beer while he was in the shower, which caused a fight that turned physical. The report said the teen pushed his grandmother to the ground, held her down, kicked her and punched her in the face. She was taken directly to the hospital where she died days later after surgery.

Dylan Broughman’s mother Tracey Broughman said he’s not directly responsible for the death. She tells Action News Jax, “He didn’t actually kill her, her heart stopped. That’s what cause her death, we took her off life support.” Tracey Broughman explains that the entire situation is extremely difficult since he’s her son and Courson is her mother.

She also admits that her son struggles with anger, saying, “Even though he was drinking the day of the incident, he has some severe anger issues but it rarely comes out but when it comes, it just comes.”

Another twist in this case: Action News Jax has learned Tracey Broughman was also arrested for violence against the elderly woman. Police reports indicate she was arrested and charged with battery following a fight with the 69-year-old earlier this year. Those charges were dropped.

Dylan’s paternal grandmother, Evelyn Stepka, said Tracey Broughman’s criminal history, which includes drug use and prostitution, is the reason for the teen’s current situation. She tells Action News Jax, “When you have a crackhead mother coming and going, being arrested every month -- how do they expect this kid to grow up normal.”

Tracey Broughman has been arrested more than 20 times in Duval County.

Cox Media Group