What Autopsy Found in 'Nightmare' Death of 71-Year-Old Grandfather Discovered in Nursing Home Closet

Mar. 15, 2025

Elin Etienne, who was found dead in a closet at the North Dade Nursing and Rehabilitation Center 10 days after he was reported missing.Photo:North Miami PD/facebook

North Miami PD/facebook

No foul play is suspected in connection to the death of a 71-year-old Florida grandfather who wasfound dead in a closet at a nursing home, according to an autopsy.

The medical examiner’s report said police found no signs of trauma or foul play, per the reports. Etienne’s official cause of death is listed as “undetermined."

“This is a nightmare,” Philip Gold, the attorney for Etienne’s family, told WFOR. “It’s hoped that for the family the truth can be revealed and the nursing home will be held accountable and this will never happen again."

Neither Gold nor the nursing home immediately responded to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

The family of Elin Etienne previously toldNBC News,Fox affiliate WSVNandWPLGthat the 71-year-old was admitted to the nursing center on Aug. 14 as he recovered from a brain aneurysm. They allegedly received a phone call from a staff member one week later telling them that Etienne was missing.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

According to NBC News, family members were told Etienne had “checked himself out” of the facility. They reportedly filed a missing persons report after the nursing home refused to verify the signature allegedly used to sign him out.

“This should never happen,” Gold said. “The family hopes this never happens again to anybody or at any nursing home.”

“We are in touch with the nursing home attorneys and going through a legal pre-suit process which is a requirement before bringing a wrongful death lawsuit for the family,” Gold explained.

source: people.com