71-year-old man found dead in rehab facility after family told he discharged himself

NORTH MIAMI, Fla. (WSVN) – A family is demanding answers after a 71-year-old man recovering from a stroke was found dead at a Florida rehabilitation center more than a week after they were told he had discharged himself from the facility.

The body of 71-year-old Elin Etienne was found Monday morning in a storage room at the North Dade Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, according to North Miami police. She was identified by the bracelet that had her name on it.

“We thought he was missing. We never imagined he was dead in the nursing home,” said the victim’s granddaughter, Ruth Keisha Etienne.

The 71-year-old man checked into the rehabilitation center on Aug. 14. He was recovering from a stroke, according to his family, and had also been diagnosed with dementia. The family says they received a call on Aug. 22 informing them that he had left the center, prompting them to file a missing person report with police.

“They said he signed the release document himself. He doesn’t have the capacity to sign the release document,” said Kimberly Elle, one of the victim’s relatives.

Days later, a review of Elin Etienne’s room at the facility showed her belongings were still there.

An anonymous staff member at the rehabilitation center then contacted the family on Monday and told them the 71-year-old man’s body was found in another room.

The family says the center’s administrators are refusing to speak to them and they are waiting to find out exactly when and how Elin Etienne died.

“The whole family is here and there have been no answers,” Elle said.

They fear the 71-year-old man may have gone days without food, water or his medication.

“That’s horrible because it means he died alone and he died in pain,” said the victim’s niece, Rivly Bruce.

The heartbroken family now stresses the importance of keeping an eye on their loved ones.

The rehabilitation center said in a statement Tuesday that it is cooperating with law enforcement and its state regulatory partners as the situation is investigated.

“Our thoughts and condolences are with the families affected by this devastating event,” the statement reads in part.

According to police, the rehabilitation center said Elin Etienne had not been diagnosed with dementia, but her family denies that claim.

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