Overview

• William Eugene Ray, a 36-year U.S. Navy veteran living at the Waverly Assisted Living and Memory Care in Trinity since May, was discovered in a facility walk-in freezer on Sept. 26.
• Ring camera footage installed by his daughter showed he left his room around 12:30 a.m. and never returned, prompting her to alert the facility.
• Staff located Ray in the freezer, and he was transported to a hospital where he was pronounced dead, according to authorities.
• Preliminary findings indicate an accidental death with no foul play suspected, the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office said, noting the investigation remains ongoing.
• Ray’s family is pressing for answers about security and access to hazardous areas, while the facility defended its staff, urged restraint on unverified online reviews, and said it is cooperating with investigators.