Current:Home > InvestMissing man found decomposed in closet at Florida nursing home, family alleges: Reports -FundWay
Missing man found decomposed in closet at Florida nursing home, family alleges: Reports
View
Date:2025-04-13 18:51:05
A Florida family is raising the alarm after a loved one's body was allegedly found decomposed inside a closet at a local nursing facility, according to multiple reports.
Last month, on August 23, North Miami police posted an alert about the disappearance of 71-year-old Elin Etienne. He was last seen the day before at North Dade Nursing and Rehab Center wearing blue shorts and a green shirt.
"Mr. Etienne may not be able to find his way home due to his condition," police noted.
He was taken to the center in August after suffering a brain aneurysm, according to NBC News. Etienne's family members gave insight into how they learned about Etienne's disappearance.
They claim someone reached out from a personal number and informed them that he was missing, prompting them to call the nursing facility.
"So we called the nursing home and spoke to a nurse, and they said he checked himself out," his niece Kimberly Etienne told the outlet. "When they said he checked himself out, we pleaded with them for the form to verify his signature. They refused. So we called the police to do a formal missing persons report."
Kimberly also alleged that North Dade Nursing wouldn't allow them to search the property.
USA TODAY reached out to North Miami Police and the nursing home for comment via phone and email but have yet heard back.
Missing people:What to know about Arielle Valdes: Florida runner found dead after 5-day search
Etienne's body was found in a closet, family alleges
An anonymous source contacted Etienne's family and gave them a grim update about his condition, NBC Miami reported.
"They said they found him in a closet, and he was already decomposing, and they refused to let us see the body," his granddaughter Ruth Keisha Etienne said to the news station.
Ruth continued, "And we tried to speak to the nursing home people, but they refused to speak to us. They don’t want to talk to us. I wonder why?"
According to the reports, police said that a body was recovered at the facility on Monday but did not confirm the deceased person's identity. A death investigation is underway, and the medical examiner will determine the cause of death.
Family seeks justice; facility releases statement
Etienne's family is demanding answers for what happened to their loved one. They held a rally outside North Dade Nursing and Rehab Center on Tuesday.
"We want justice," the family could be seen chanting in footage captured by WPLG.
In a statement to the news station, an ABC affiliate, the nursing facility expressed its condolences to the family and added that it prioritizes the health and safety of its residents.
"Our team is cooperating fully with the appropriate authorities, including law enforcement and our state regulatory partners," the statement continued. "We are compassionate caregivers, and that will help get us through this difficult experience. At the same time, we remain committed to ensuring our residents continue receiving the high-quality care they have come to expect from our facility.”
Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at tardrey@gannett.com.
veryGood! (784)
Related
- 2025 'Doomsday Clock': This is how close we are to self
- Anderson Cooper Hit in the Head With Flying Debris Live on Air While Covering Hurricane Milton
- The Best Deals You Can Still Shop After October Prime Day 2024
- Tropicana Field shredded by Hurricane Milton is the latest sports venue damaged by weather
- The company planning a successor to Concorde makes its first supersonic test
- Sabrina Ionescu brought back her floater. It’s taken the Liberty to the WNBA Finals
- Democrats hope the latest court rulings restricting abortion energize voters as election nears
- Northern Lights to Be Visible Across Parts of U.S.: Where to See “Very Rare” Aurora Borealis Show
- Nearly half of US teens are online ‘constantly,’ Pew report finds
- BrucePac recalls nearly 10 million pounds of ready-to-eat meat, poultry products for listeria
Ranking
- Juan Soto praise of Mets' future a tough sight for Yankees, but World Series goal remains
- BrucePac recalls nearly 10 million pounds of ready-to-eat meat, poultry products for listeria
- Nicholas Pryor, Beverly Hills, 90210 and Risky Business Actor, Dead at 89
- A former Arkansas deputy is sentenced for a charge stemming from a violent arrest caught on video
- Trump invites nearly all federal workers to quit now, get paid through September
- Dogs fatally attack a man behind a building in New York
- Kate Middleton Makes First Public Engagement With Prince William Since Finishing Chemotherapy
- Anderson Cooper Hit in the Head With Flying Debris Live on Air While Covering Hurricane Milton
Recommendation
Intellectuals vs. The Internet
Fantasy football injury report Week 6: Latest on Malik Nabers, Joe Mixon, A.J. Brown, more
Atlantic City mayor and his wife plead not guilty to beating their daughter
Anne Hathaway Apologizes to Reporter for Awkward 2012 Interview
Meta releases AI model to enhance Metaverse experience
Get a $19 Prime Day Deal on a Skillet Shoppers Insist Rivals $250 Le Creuset Cookware
Last Chance: Score Best-Selling Bodysuits Under $20 Before Amazon Prime Day 2024 Ends
Taylor Swift Donates $5 Million to Hurricane Milton and Hurricane Helene Victims