Dementia Patient Found Dead in Assisted Living Freezer: Family Demands Answers

Tragic Discovery at Waverly Assisted Living

• 💔 An 83-year-old Navy Reserve veteran, William Eugene Ray (known as Jean), was found deceased in a walk-in freezer at the Waverly Assisted Living and Memory Care facility.
• 💡 Jean, who had dementia, went missing from his room at 12:33 a.m. and was discovered nearly 8 hours later by staff.
• 🌡️ He was rushed to the hospital, but his core body temperature was 66°, and the preliminary cause of death was hypothermia.

Family's Concerns and Investigation

• 🏠 Jean's daughter, Kristen, had installed a Ring camera in his room due to concerns about staffing issues at the facility.
• 🔍 The Pasco County Sheriff's Office and the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) are investigating the incident.
• ⚖️ The family has filed a notice of intent to sue for wrongful death, alleging negligence and deviation from the standard of care.

Facility's Response and Previous Incidents

• 🤝 A representative for Waverly stated they are cooperating fully with investigators and claim to staff the building at more than double the minimum requirements.
• ⚠️ This incident echoes a similar case in Utah where another resident was found dead in a freezer, leading to fines and a conditional license for that facility.
• 🗣️ Kristen expressed deep disappointment, stating, "They failed us. They failed my family. They failed my dad."
• 🚫 The Waverly facility had not been cited for any violations by the AHCA prior to this incident.