An 83-year-old Lakeland man with late-stage Alzheimer's disease was found dead yesterday morning after apparent floodwater-related circumstances. Identified as Marco Grillo, the man was said to have wandered from a van where he and his wife were staying, near their home which had been submerged with floodwaters from Hurricane Milton, as reported by WFLA.
The discovery of Grillo's body was made behind the couple's residence by the air unit of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office right around 7:30 a.m. "Despite Mr. Grillo being found in his backyard, the area was so flooded that our Aviation Unit had to direct deputies on an airboat to him," Sheriff Grady Judd told WTSP. The tragic event highlights the risks posed by severe weather conditions, particularly for those residents with health conditions or mobility issues.
According to FOX 13 News, Marco Grillo had been struggling with Alzheimer's, a heart condition, and poor circulation. These health issues heightened the risk when he unknowingly stepped out of the van, where his wife, Suzanne, had sought refuge due to the flooding at their Alderman Road home.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office continues their investigation into the circumstances surrounding Grillo's death, an autopsy is pending to determine the cause.
