Current:Home > MarketsMissing man found decomposed in closet at Florida nursing home, family alleges: Reports -WealthMindset Learning
Missing man found decomposed in closet at Florida nursing home, family alleges: Reports
View
Date:2025-04-11 17:03:52
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! (943)
Related
- Why we love Bear Pond Books, a ski town bookstore with a French bulldog 'Staff Pup'
- Derek Hough says wife Hayley Erbert's skull surgery was successful: 'Immense relief'
- These Weekend Sales Prove it's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year to Score Major Savings
- Beyoncé Makes Flawless Surprise Appearance at Renaissance Film Premiere in Brazil
- Romantasy reigns on spicy BookTok: Recommendations from the internet’s favorite genre
- Broadway's 10 best musicals and plays of 2023, including 'Merrily We Roll Along'
- New Mexico prepares for June presidential primary amid challenge to Trump candidacy
- A New Hampshire man pleads guilty to threats and vandalism targeting public radio journalists
- Federal hiring is about to get the Trump treatment
- The Excerpt podcast: Specks of plastic are in our bodies and everywhere else, too
Ranking
- Kylie Jenner Shows Off Sweet Notes From Nieces Dream Kardashian & Chicago West
- France to close its embassy in Niger for an ‘indefinite period,’ according to letter to staff
- Want to try Donna Kelce's cookies? You can at the Chiefs' and Eagles' games on Christmas
- 'In shock': Mississippi hunter bags dwarf deer with record-sized antlers
- Stamford Road collision sends motorcyclist flying; driver arrested
- 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas': Where to watch 1966, 2000, 2018 movies on TV, streaming
- 2 Florida men win $1 million from same scratch-off game 4 days apart
- Luis Suárez reunites with Lionel Messi, joins Inter Miami on one-year deal
Recommendation
Angelina Jolie nearly fainted making Maria Callas movie: 'My body wasn’t strong enough'
Shooting at Prague university leaves at least 14 dead, dozens wounded, officials say
Grieving and often overlooked, Palestinian Christians prepare for a somber Christmas amid war
NASA releases image of 'Christmas Tree Cluster': How the stars got the festive nickname
The company planning a successor to Concorde makes its first supersonic test
Sister Wives' Meri, Janelle and Christine Brown Reflect on Relationship With Kody Brown
No. 1 picks Victor Wembanyama and Connor Bedard meet: The long and short of it
Pacific storm that unleashed flooding barreling down on southeastern California