Body of Missing Man Discovered 15 Years After Disappearance

The skeletal remains of a man, last seen in 2010, were found in his apartment in La Fuensanta, Valencia, following flooding caused by Storm Alice. The discovery, made on Saturday, has raised questions about the circumstances surrounding the man’s disappearance and the state of the apartment, which was reportedly in disarray.

Heavy rainfall associated with Storm Alice, which has been named by the Spanish weather agency AEMET, resulted in significant flooding across the region. Valencia Province recorded up to 6.3 inches of rain in just 24 hours, leading to leaks in the apartment building where the man lived. Local media identified the deceased as Antonio F., a retired bricklayer born in 1936, whose absence had gone unnoticed for over a decade.

Neighbours last saw Antonio in 2010, and many believed he had moved into a retirement home. His sixth-floor apartment on Luis Fenollet Street was accessed by firefighters after water began leaking into the home of an 81-year-old woman living below. The emergency responders used a ladder from a high-rise vehicle to gain access to the balcony.

Upon entering, firefighters reported that dozens of pigeons flew out, revealing the extent of neglect inside the flat. The apartment was filled with droppings, deceased birds, and up to two feet of sand, with water leaking from the terrace. Inside the bedroom, they discovered Antonio’s skeletal remains, while further investigation revealed additional bones in the living room, likely moved there by the pigeons.

The National Police have taken charge of the investigation, with their Homicide Unit involved, although there is no suspicion of foul play. The apartment was reportedly locked from the inside with a sliding bolt, indicating that Antonio may have died without anyone being aware of his passing. His remains have been sent to Valencia’s Institute of Forensic Medicine for a post-mortem examination.

The son of the elderly woman alerted authorities to the leak. He recounted to the newspaper Las Provincias that he initially contacted his insurance company, only to be advised to call the fire service due to the severity of the situation. “It had been years since we saw the man living above,” he said. “I thought the water was coming in through his broken windows.”

After investigating, he learned that a glass blocking the guttering on the terrace was the source of the flooding. The son described the condition of Antonio’s apartment as “really bad,” noting that the police informed him there was little left of the body, which had decomposed over the years.

Antonio had separated from his wife and had no contact with his two sons. Surprisingly, payments for the apartment’s rent and utility bills continued uninterrupted, as he received his pension through bank transfers, ensuring that there was always sufficient cash to cover expenses. Neighbours explained that any mail addressed to him was either discarded or handed over to the property manager without further inquiry.

The tragic discovery of Antonio’s remains comes in the wake of Storm Alice, which has caused widespread disruption along Spain’s eastern coast. This storm follows a more powerful DANA storm that struck Valencia in October 2024, resulting in the loss of over 200 lives.

As the community grapples with the impact of these events, the case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of community vigilance and the need for social connections, particularly among the elderly living alone. The findings will likely prompt discussions on how to better support vulnerable individuals in society.