A family in Florida is seeking answers after a man was found deceased in a storage closet over a week after being reported missing from a North Miami nursing home.
The body of 71-year-old Elin Etienne was discovered at the North Dade Nursing and Rehabilitation Center on Monday morning, according to Maj. Kessler Brooks of the North Miami Police Department.
Etienne had been reported missing on August 22, with a missing person’s notice issued the following day, police confirmed.
Etienne’s family claims he had dementia, a condition the nursing facility disputes, as stated by the police.
“They said that he signed himself out, he doesn’t have the capacity to sign himself out,” Kimberly Etienne, a family member, told local affiliate WSVN.
Stephanie Pena, the administrator of the facility, expressed their dedication to resident safety and well-being, stating their full cooperation with law enforcement and state regulatory bodies. Pena emphasised their role as compassionate caregivers and their commitment to continuing high-quality care.
The medical examiner has taken Etienne’s body for an autopsy, with results pending. The investigation remains active, Brooks added.
Family members have gathered outside the nursing home this week. “The entire family is here, and there’s been no answers,” Kimberly Etienne stated to WSVN.
North Dade Nursing and Rehabilitation Center holds a two-star overall rating on Medicare.gov, with one star for health inspections and two for staffing. The facility has incurred over $23,000 in federal penalties in the past three years for various infractions, including serious health or fire safety citations or prolonged failure to address violations.
What Other Media Are Saying
- CBS News Miami reports that a South Florida family seeks answers after claiming their loved one’s body was found decomposing in a closet at a Miami-Dade nursing home. (read more)
- USA Today reports that Elin Etienne’s decomposed body was found in a closet at a Miami nursing home, allegedly by an anonymous source informing his family of the grim update. (read more)
- People reports on the tragic discovery of a 71-year-old man, Elin Etienne, found dead in a closet at a Miami nursing facility, sparking a family’s demands for answers and justice. (read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
What happened to Elin Etienne?
Elin Etienne was found dead in a storage closet at North Dade Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
When was Elin Etienne reported missing?
Elin Etienne was reported missing on August 22.
Did Elin Etienne have dementia?
Etienne’s family says he had dementia, but the facility disputes this.
What is the current status of the investigation?
The investigation is ongoing and autopsy results are pending.
How has the North Dade Nursing and Rehabilitation Center been rated?
The center has a two out of five stars overall rating on Medicare.gov.