An 83-year-old US Navy veteran suffering from dementia was tragically found dead in a walk-in freezer at a Florida assisted living facility. William Eugene Ray, a father of two, had been showing signs of rapid dementia progression, prompting his daughter, Kristen Spencer, to install a Ring camera in his room at the Waverly Assisted Living and Memory Care in Trinity, Florida. This allowed her to monitor her father’s condition even when she was unable to visit.
Spencer had observed her father becoming increasingly disoriented, but she had faith in the facility’s ability to care for him. Ray’s family had made the difficult decision to move him into assisted living in May, believing that the facility could provide the level of care that only trained professionals could offer.
On September 26, Spencer noticed that her father was not in his room when she checked the Ring footage. Upon reviewing the footage, she discovered that Ray had left his room around 12:30 a.m. the previous night and had not returned. She immediately alerted her mother, who contacted the facility. A few hours later, a staff member found Ray’s body in a walk-in freezer.
Spencer was shocked when she heard the news. The Pasco Sheriff’s Office has stated that their preliminary investigation found no signs of foul play. Spencer noted that there had been no major issues since Ray moved into the facility, but small concerns had gradually arisen.
The family is now seeking answers and questioning the facility’s response time. Spencer expressed concern about the safety of vulnerable individuals in such facilities and the need for secure areas. The family hopes to prevent other families from experiencing a similar tragedy.
The Waverly defended its staff and requested the public to refrain from posting unfounded online reviews. In a statement, the facility expressed deep sadness over the incident, which was unprecedented in their years of operation. They praised their staff’s immediate response and continued dedication, and expressed confidence in the high level of service they provide.
Ray, fondly known as Gene by friends and family, joined the Navy at 17 and served for 36 years. After retiring, he worked for a private land surveying firm and later at the Department of Transportation in Bartow, Florida.