Omar Mateen buried at South Florida cemetery, death records show

Unmarked grave spotted at Muslim Cemetery of Miami Dade

HIALEAH GARDENS, Fla. – Death records show that the gunman behind the Orlando nightclub massacre is buried in South Florida.

Local 10 News reporter Derek Shore spoke with a man who works at the Muslim Cemetery of Miami Dade in Hialeah Gardens Thursday, who said that he doesn't agree with what Omar Mateen did.

"Whatever he did was horrendous. There's no doubt about this," Mohammad Dandia said.

Dandia said it was not his decision to bury Omar Mateen at the cemetery, but said that his body had to go somewhere.

"He has to be buried somewhere, right?" Dandia said. 

"So, you think it's right that he's buried here?" Shore asked.

"No, I didn't say that. What I'm saying is that if he's buried, obviously the families would be concerned, there's no doubt about this," Dandia said. "Now, right or wrong, it's something that needs to be addressed by the scholars of Islam."

A grave that was recently dug under a tent can be seen beyond a fence, but there is no marker or headstone.

Death records indicate that Mateen was buried at the cemetery earlier this week.

File: Omar Mateen Death Certificate

"I wouldn't like it, but it's not up to me," said a man who was visiting his girlfriend's grave Thursday morning.

The man said the decision to bury Mateen at the cemetery doesn't sit well with him, a sentiment shared by people who have to visit the cemetery for work.

"You know, I'm just doing my job, but you know, if I did have a choice, I don't think I would be coming back over here because what he done was very wrong," said Kingsly Theophile, a funeral transport employee.

Police said Mateen killed 49 people at the gay nightclub Pulse on June 12.

He died in a gun battle with Orlando police SWAT officers.

"Now I might have to call my supervisor and tell him about it, and it's a hard decision. I don't think I'll be able to come here," Theophile said.

Local 10 News reporter Erica Rakow spoke by phone to Mateen's father, Seddique Mateen, who confirmed that his son was buried in Florida. However, he said he didn't know exactly where.

The Orlando Sentinel reported that Mateen's body was released Monday to his father.