HOMESTEAD, Fla. – The city of Homestead confirmed Friday that a 78-year-old man who was reported missing has been found dead.
According to city spokeswoman Camila Varcarcel, the body of Francisco Javier De Armas, who has Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, was found Wednesday in the “backseat of a decommissioned vehicle located in a fenced area of the City of Homestead’s motor pool.”
“The Homestead Police Department initially handled the missing persons case, which has since been turned over to Miami-Dade Homicide for further investigation,” a statement from the city read. “We are working closely with investigators to determine exactly how this happened. We are fully committed to a thorough and transparent review of all circumstances surrounding this tragic event.”
According to detectives, De Armas was reported missing by his wife after last being seen around 7:30 p.m. on March 30, walking away from his home near the 200 block of Southeast Sixth Avenue.
Authorities at the time said De Armas might have been disoriented.
“We ask for patience and compassion as we support the family and our community through this loss,” the city’s statement read. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this incredibly difficult time.”
His son, Francisco Leon, was devastated over the discovery.
“He came from Cuba (in) 1980. He was a great man, great husband,” Leon said. “We were super worried, because he’s like a child. My mom immediately started looking for him. She walked out. My aunt started looking for him.”
Leon said through tears, “He was with my mother, married, for 40-plus years, 78 and I was hoping for more.”
He now has questions about what happened.
“I believe my father suffered in there for three days,” Leon said. “I don’t know. I don’t know if he died the night, the next day, the morning. I don’t know.”
Leon claimed the gate to the facility wasn’t locked.
“That gate was always open,” he said. “Ever since this incident happened, this gate is maintained closed.”
Officials with the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office said they’re investigating what happened.