PORTLAND, Oregon — Michael Brady was known as a loving husband and father who adored his 6-year-old son. His family is mourning their loss after he was stabbed and killed on a MAX train in late March.
"He loved his family. He was the glue," said Arev Miller, Brady's niece, who lives in Indiana. "He made sure he stayed in contact with us, even though he was so far away."
She said Brady would randomly call just to make sure that his extended family members were OK.
"He took care of his family," she said.
On March 29, Brady was stabbed and killed by a man on a MAX train at the 82nd Avenue Transit Station. He was 51 years old. Police arrested the man.
Brady's wife, Nora, described her husband as a "wonderful person."
“I want people to know that my husband was a great human being, a loving father of a 6-year-old boy, and a loving husband,” Nora Brady said.
Miller learned about her uncle's death after her brother reached out to her.
"I’ve gotten some terrible calls in my lifetime, but that was by far the worst," she said.
Her uncle had his earbuds in and had been on his way home from work when he was killed.
"It’s infuriating. I’m sad, obviously, but I am so angry," Miller said. "I am so angry at this man for doing this because it was so senseless. There was nothing that Mike was doing; he was minding his business."
Miller said he wasn't much older than her and that he was more like an older brother to her growing up.
"He always played with us. He taught us things," she said. "He really wanted us to learn how to play guitar like him. I’m not musical, so I think I kind of disappointed him there, but he was a great role model for my brother."
Brady was originally from Noblesville, Indiana, but moved to the West Coast when he was in his late 20s. At that time, he had worked at casinos in Las Vegas. He moved to Portland, where he had been living for the past 15 years, Miller said, and had worked for a hotel.
"He was a hard worker. It didn’t matter what the job was; he was going to do it and provide for his family," Miller said. "He never complained; he just went to work and did what he was supposed to."
She wants people to remember her uncle as a kind and loving person.
“I think everybody should have known him," she said.
More Than A Number aims to help give a face and a voice to victims and families impacted by tragedies. If you or someone you know has been the victim of a homicide and would like to share your story, you can reach out to us by sending an email to morethananumber@kgw.com.