Trinity, Florida – A heartbreaking incident occurred at the Waverly Assisted Living and Memory Care in Trinity, Florida, when 83-year-old U.S. Navy veteran William Eugene Ray was discovered dead inside a walk-in freezer. The discovery came after his daughter, Kristen Spencer, realized her father was missing from his room.
Veteran’s Health and Assisted Living Placement
Ray, a father of two, had been showing signs of rapidly progressing dementia over the summer. Concerned for his safety, his daughter installed a Ring camera in his room to monitor him when she could not be physically present.
In May, the family made the difficult decision to move Ray into the assisted living facility to ensure he received professional care suited for his needs. Spencer had trusted that trained staff could manage his care, despite the challenges presented by his dementia.
Discovery of the Tragic Incident
On September 26, Spencer checked the Ring footage and noticed the light in his room was on, but Ray was not present. Rewinding the video revealed that Ray had left his room around 12:30 a.m. the previous night and had not returned.
Spencer immediately contacted her mother, who then called the facility. Within a few hours, a staff member found Ray’s body trapped inside the walk-in freezer, a discovery that left the family shocked and seeking answers, according to the reports.
Preliminary Investigation and Facility Response
The Pasco Sheriff’s Office stated that a preliminary investigation showed no signs of foul play.
The family noted that since Ray moved into the facility, there had been no prior issues, though Spencer mentioned that “little things” had slowly appeared that raised concerns about her father’s safety. She expressed frustration, questioning, “If we had not called the facility, when would they have found him?”
In response, the Waverly Assisted Living and Memory Care released a statement:
“We have never experienced an incident of this nature in the many years of operating in the Assisted Living space. Our community is deeply saddened by this heartbreaking loss. The grief felt by our entire staff is indescribable. We are truly proud of our staff’s profound and immediate response to the situation and grateful for their continued compassion, dedication and professionalism. We remain confident in the high level of service, comfort, and care we provide our residents as one of the premier assisted living and memory care communities in Florida.”
Family Seeks Accountability
The family is now fighting for answers and seeking to ensure that no other family will have to endure a similar tragedy. They continue to push for a deeper investigation into how such a catastrophic event could occur within a professional care facility.
The Importance of Assisted Living Safety
This incident underscores the critical importance of safety protocols in assisted living and memory care facilities, particularly for residents with dementia or cognitive impairments. Families are encouraged to stay vigilant, monitor care arrangements, and ask facilities about safety measures, including restricted access to dangerous areas such as walk-in freezers.
What are your thoughts on this tragic loss and the responsibilities of assisted living facilities? Share your opinions and experiences in the comments below.
