Authorities in Florida are conducting an investigation following the tragic death of an elderly man at his assisted living facility. The incident has raised questions about the safety protocols in place at such establishments.

Eugene Ray, aged 83, was discovered deceased in a walk-in freezer at The Waverly Assisted Living and Memory Care in Trinity on September 26. The unsettling discovery came after Ray’s daughter noticed alarming footage captured by a Ring camera installed in his room. She expressed her concerns to WTVT, explaining her apprehension upon reviewing the footage.

“I woke up the next morning, and when I looked at the Ring camera, the light was on, and he was not in his room,” she recounted, indicating her immediate worry for her father’s whereabouts.

In response to the footage, Ray’s daughter quickly contacted The Waverly and, along with her mother, went to the facility. Staff members initiated a search for Ray and guided his daughter and wife to a conference room during the process.

Tragically, it was only after an exhaustive eight-hour search that the facility’s staff informed Ray’s family of the devastating news—they had found him dead in the walk-in freezer. This heartbreaking incident has prompted calls for answers and accountability regarding how such an incident could occur.

“I couldn’t even believe the words that I was hearing. How could this happen? Basic safety measures were not in place to secure the kitchen,” the daughter told WFTS.

A doctor allegedly told them that they performed CPR, but his core body temperature was 66 degrees — suggesting he had been dead for some time. The Pasco County medical examiner confirmed he died of hypothermia.

WTVT reported that Ray moved into The Waverly in May. His daughter said he was physically active but was showing signs of having dementia.

The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office and the Agency for Health Care Administration are investigating Ray’s death.

“We need answers, we need answers,” his daughter told WTVT. “How could this happen?”

[Feature Photo: WTVT]