The desperate search of a Cuban family ended in tragedy last Wednesday when the lifeless body of Francisco Javier León de Armas, a 78-year-old man suffering from Alzheimer's, was discovered. His remains were found inside an out-of-service patrol car parked at a municipal junkyard in Homestead, just a short distance from his home.
On the night of Sunday, March 30, León de Armas walked away from his residence. A security camera captured the exact moment he left his doorstep, vanishing shortly afterward without a trace. In response, Homestead Police issued an alert on their Facebook page, categorizing the case as a "Missing Endangered Adult." The alert indicated that Francisco Javier might be disoriented. A video accompanying the message showed him wearing a gray tank top, black pants, and dark shoes.
"My heart is broken because I was searching high and low for my dad," said his son, Francisco Javier León Jr., tearfully to Univision 23. For days, the family combed through vast areas, including Florida City, Homestead, and nearby regions. They printed posters, organized family-led patrols with over twenty vehicles, and spread the alert on social media, hoping to find him alive.
The grim discovery came on Wednesday, April 2. The elderly man's body was found in the back of an out-of-service police vehicle, parked in a fenced lot managed by Homestead's Department of Parks and Recreation. This area is known for storing impounded vehicles and government-discarded materials.
"I just hope my father didn't suffer. He could have died from a stroke, hunger, thirst, or the heat inside that car. In the back of a patrol vehicle, you can't escape," lamented León Jr. His family noted that the entrance gate to the lot was frequently left open, potentially allowing the elderly man to enter unnoticed. Just hours after the body was found, authorities installed a new chain and lock at the site to prevent future incidents.
"This could have happened to anyone, even a child wandering in by accident. That gate was open 24/7," the grieving son criticized. Balloons and flowers were placed at the fence as a tribute to the deceased.
Francisco León emigrated from Cuba in the 1980s in pursuit of a better life. His family remembers him as a kind and hardworking man, saddened that his life ended in such undignified circumstances. "I wanted my father to pass peacefully, in his bed, like a serene elder. Not like this," his son said, his voice breaking.
The city of Homestead extended its condolences in an official statement: "We are deeply saddened by the tragic death of Francisco Javier De Armas [...] We are fully committed to a thorough and transparent review of all circumstances surrounding this tragic event."
Key Questions About the Tragic Incident in Homestead
What led to the discovery of Francisco Javier León de Armas's body?
His body was discovered inside an out-of-service patrol car at a municipal junkyard near his home after a desperate search initiated by his family.
How did the authorities respond after finding the body?
Authorities secured the lot with a new chain and lock to prevent similar incidents in the future.
What measures did Francisco Javier León Jr. and his family take during the search?
The family printed posters, organized patrols with over twenty vehicles, and used social media to spread the alert, searching across multiple areas.