Florida Care Home Death: Navy Veteran Found in Freezer Prompts Safety Review

An 83-year-old Navy veteran with dementia was found dead inside a walk-in freezer at his Florida assisted living facility. William Eugene Ray’s body was discovered at the Waverly Assisted Living and Memory Care home in Trinity. The tragic incident occurred in late September.

His daughter raised the alarm after noticing he was missing from his room. According to Fox 13, she had installed a camera to monitor him. The discovery has sparked a family demand for answers and a review of safety protocols.

Family Discovers Tragedy Through Personal Camera

William Eugene Ray, known as Gene, had lived at the facility since May. His daughter, Kristen Spencer, checked his Ring camera on September 26. She saw his light on but he was not there.

Reviewing earlier footage, she saw him leave his room around 12:30 a.m. He never returned. Spencer immediately contacted her mother, who then called the care home. Staff members found Ray’s body in the freezer hours later.

The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office is investigating. Initial reports indicated no signs of foul play. The family is now questioning the facility’s security measures for vulnerable residents.

Assisted Living Facility Faces Scrutiny After Incident

The Waverly facility released a statement expressing deep sadness. They called the event a heartbreaking loss. The statement also defended their staff’s response and professionalism.

They asked the public to stop posting anonymous, non-factual reviews online. The facility stated it had never experienced an incident of this nature before. This event highlights broader concerns about safety in memory care units.

For families, the tragedy underscores the difficult trust placed in care facilities. It raises urgent questions about securing hazardous areas. The industry may see increased calls for stricter safety regulations.

This Florida care home death has triggered a critical examination of protocols in assisted living facilities, emphasizing the need for unwavering vigilance where our most vulnerable citizens reside.

Thought you’d like to know

Who was William Eugene Ray?

William Eugene Ray was an 83-year-old Navy veteran. He served for 36 years before retiring. After his military service, he worked in land surveying and for the Florida Department of Transportation.

Where did the incident occur?

The incident happened at the Waverly Assisted Living and Memory Care facility. This care home is located in Trinity, Florida. Ray had been a resident there since May.

How was the discovery made?

His daughter discovered he was missing via a Ring camera she had installed in his room. She noticed his absence and reviewed the footage. The facility staff later located his body inside a walk-in freezer.

What has the facility said about the event?

The Waverly facility expressed deep sadness and called the loss heartbreaking. They defended their staff’s response and professionalism. They also stated this was their first incident of this kind.

Are there any signs of foul play?

The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death. Initial reports from officials indicated no immediate signs of foul play. The investigation into the exact circumstances is ongoing.