Family Left DEVASTATED as Missing Nursing Home Resident is Found DEAD, Hidden in a Closet!

A heartbreaking incident has shaken a Florida community after the body of a 71-year-old man, missing from a nursing home, was discovered “stuffed in a closet.” His family is devastated, calling for answers and accountability.

Elin Etienne, who had been admitted to the North Dade Nursing and Rehab facility after suffering an aneurysm, was reported missing on August 22. For nearly two weeks, his whereabouts were unknown. Tragically, on September 4, Etienne’s decomposing body was found inside the facility in a closet, leaving his family in utter disbelief.

Etienne’s niece, Kimberly Etienne, spoke to Local News 10, describing the horrific moment they learned of his death. “He was stuffed in a closet the last 12 days,” she said. “The officer advised he was so decomposed that they couldn’t recognize him.”

The shock of the discovery has left the family reeling. Kimberly explained that her uncle had been placed in the facility temporarily for rehabilitation. “We brought him here alive, full of life, full of spirit, and now he’s leaving in a body bag,” she added with a heart-wrenching tone.

The North Miami Police Department had previously issued a missing person alert for Etienne, stating that he was last seen wearing a green shirt and blue shorts near the nursing home. The police noted that Etienne suffered from cognitive impairment and might have been unable to find his way home. “Mr. Etienne may not be able to find his way home due to his condition,” the notice read.

Despite the police bulletin, Etienne’s body went undiscovered for 12 days, sparking outrage within the family. A nurse reportedly told Etienne’s relatives that he had signed a form to leave the facility on his own. However, his niece Rivly Breus disputed this, highlighting her uncle’s severe health issues. “He couldn’t even feed himself,” she told Local News 10.

The circumstances surrounding Etienne’s death are still unclear, and the family is left with many unanswered questions. “We still have to find out if he was put in the closet,” Breus said, expressing deep concern over the mystery of how her uncle ended up in such a tragic state. “We just don’t know, and I don’t want that to happen to another patient.”

Etienne’s journey to the U.S. began over 30 years ago when he emigrated from Haiti. According to his family, he was a loving man who worked as a chef and supported other relatives in making the move to the United States. Despite his caring nature and strong ties to family, his final years were marked by serious health issues. Etienne had suffered two strokes, developed dementia, and later experienced an aneurysm that left him with significant mobility and cognitive challenges.

Hoping for a chance at recovery, Etienne’s family admitted him to North Dade Nursing and Rehab, trusting the facility would care for him. “We felt comfortable with the staff,” Breus told CBS News. But that trust was shattered when his body was found in such an unimaginable way.

In response to the tragedy, family members, friends, and community supporters gathered outside the nursing home, chanting for justice and demanding accountability from the facility. CBS reported that the center had closed its doors, and staff members refused to comment on the matter.

As of now, police have not confirmed how long Etienne’s body was inside the facility or the exact location it was found. Authorities have remained tight-lipped on the investigation, leaving the family to wonder how this tragedy occurred under the watch of the very people who were supposed to be caring for their loved one.

The Etienne family is now left not only grieving the loss of a beloved family member but also searching for the truth behind his final days. As they seek justice, they hope to prevent any other families from enduring the same heartbreak.

The discovery of Elin Etienne’s body raises serious concerns about the care and safety standards at the nursing facility, and the family is determined to find out what really happened. For now, their focus is on honoring the man who once lived with spirit and compassion, even as they mourn the horrific circumstances of his death.