Authorities are investigating the body of a missing Florida man Elin Etienne reportedly found decomposing in a nursing home closet.
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This Is What Florida People Believe Is Missing
According to NBC 6 South Florida, Etienne was last seen on August 22. That same day, his family reported him missing to the police, and authorities issued a public notice.
“NMPD is asking for the public’s help in finding Elin Etienne. Mr. Etienne is a 71-year-old man who was last seen in the area of NE 135 ST/ NE 12 AVE, at approximately 2:00 p.m., Thursday (22/08/2024),” the Chief of Police said in a Facebook post. . “He was last seen wearing a green shirt and blue shorts. Mr. Etienne may not be able to go home because of his condition…”
The outlet reported that Etienne’s family had told authorities that the 71-year-old was being treated at the North Dade Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, located on Northeast 135th Street. Furthermore, the family stated that the rehab was not very helpful in helping them find Etienne.
“We just got a call saying they were missing, and we were like, ‘OK?’ We went over there and talked to him, just trying to figure it out,” Etienne’s granddaughter, Ruth Keisha Etienne, reportedly told NBC 6 South Florida. “He told us that he had signed an AMA, which means he refused medical help, and we asked for the document and saw his signature, and he refused to see it.”
According to the outlet, Etienne recently suffered a brain aneurysm.
Here’s How Elin Etienne Was Reportedly Found In An Orphanage Closet
Then, on Monday, September 2, Etienne’s body was reportedly found in a closet at the facility.
“They said they found him in the closet, and he was rotten, and they refused to let us see the body,” Ruth said. “And we tried to talk to the nursing home people, but they wouldn’t talk to us. They didn’t want to talk to us. I wonder why?”
According to NBC News, Etienne’s niece, Kimberly, said she was told the body was “decomposed beyond recognition,”
Meanwhile, CNN reports that Stephanie Pena, the facility’s administrator, has issued a statement on the matter.
“At North Dade Nursing and Rehab, we are deeply committed to the health, well-being, and safety of our residents, above all else,” Pena said. “Our team is cooperating fully with the appropriate authorities, including law enforcement and our country’s regulatory partners. We are compassionate caregivers, and this will help them overcome this difficult experience. At the same time, we remain committed to ensuring citizens continue receive the quality care you expect from our facility.
According to the outlet, the investigation into Etienne’s disappearance and death remains ongoing. Additionally, an autopsy is currently underway.
Furthermore, Kimberly told NBC News that the experience for her family has been “it’s like a movie, a terrible horror movie. Now we have to find justice because we can’t give them a proper funeral.
“We thought he was gone, we never expected him to die in a nursing home,” Ruth added, per PEOPLE.
Mummified Body of 7-Year-Old Boy Found in Closet in 2023
As The Shade Room previously reported, in June 2023, a Georgia mother was arrested and charged after her 7-year-old daughter’s body was found in a closet in an abandoned apartment.
At the time, it was reported that a neighbor noticed a “bad smell” coming from the unit. When he opened a closet in the apartment, he reportedly noticed a “human arm” and compared the girl’s appearance to a mummy.
Eventually, the girl’s mother was arrested and charged with murder and child cruelty.
RELATED: Georgia Mom Faces Murder Charge After Seven-Year-Old’s Mummified Body Found In Abandoned Apartment Closet
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