UPDATE, Roger Borkum Wife, Celeste Borkum Africa, WTC Woman Beaten To Death
UPDATE: Roger Borkum Death – Florida Murder Case, Life of Late Wife Celeste Borkum, and Africa Years Remembered
Roger Borkum, a 64-year-old former World Trade Center consultant, has been identified as the victim in a brutal Downtown Jacksonville attack that has drawn national attention and renewed concerns about rising youth violence. Authorities confirmed that Borkum, who once lived abroad in Africa with his late wife, Celeste Borkum, died on October 23, 2024, four days after being found severely beaten near a sidewalk in the city’s urban core.
According to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, officers responded just before midnight on October 19 and discovered Borkum with extensive head injuries, blood pooling beside him, and a visible trail extending down the walkway. Witnesses reported seeing three teenagers “kicking and stomping” him while rifling through his backpack. The attackers allegedly left the scene, returned approximately twenty minutes later, and continued the assault.
Officials arrested Justin Curry, 13, Robert Pope, 17, and Marcavion Lacey, 19, within hours. All three were later indicted for murder on November 20 after investigators linked them to the deadly attack. Arrest documents stated that one suspect claimed the assault began because Borkum had “dissed their dead homies,” though authorities noted that the victim did not know the teens and had no prior interaction with them.
Borkum’s death has devastated loved ones who remember him for his resilience and global experiences. Born in Syosset, New York, he spent his early career as a consultant on the 77th floor of Tower 1 at the World Trade Center. He was released from his position in July 2001, a change that ultimately saved his life when the Sept. 11 attacks occurred two months later. Friends wrote in his obituary that he “narrowly escaped” the tragedy that killed many of his colleagues.
Before relocating to Florida, Borkum lived for several years in Africa with his wife, Celeste, who passed away after a lengthy illness. Those close to the family remember Celeste for her compassion, love for cultural diversity, and dedication to humanitarian causes. Their time in Africa shaped their marriage and broadened their shared commitment to service. After her death, Borkum struggled to rebuild his life and later faced periods of homelessness.
Despite those hardships, he remained deeply connected to memories of his wife and their years abroad. Loved ones described him as a gentle, curious, and intelligent man who always spoke proudly of Celeste’s strength. Her passing marked a turning point that left him navigating grief while attempting to maintain stability.
Community members in Jacksonville have responded to Borkum’s death with renewed calls for prevention programs aimed at at-risk youth. Local leaders emphasized that the brutality of the attack underscores a growing crisis involving teenage offenders and unprovoked violence. Advocacy groups have urged the public to honor Borkum’s life by supporting initiatives that protect vulnerable individuals and promote safer neighborhoods.
As the case moves forward in the Florida court system, prosecutors are preparing to pursue full accountability for the suspects involved. Borkum’s family and friends hope the legal process will deliver closure while ensuring that his legacy is remembered with dignity. They continue to highlight his remarkable survival of the 9/11 era, his devotion to his late wife, and the generosity he showed throughout his life.
Funeral arrangements and additional memorial details will be announced by the family at a later date.
