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Tavares couple found dead in home; possible carbon monoxide poisoning from generator, officials says

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Updated  October 16, 2024 8:28pm EDT
Lake County
FOX 35 Orlando

Possible carbon monoxide deaths in Lake County

A Florida couple who lost power during Hurricane Milton were found dead during a wellbeing check. Authorities believe they died from possible carbon monoxide poisoning as they were using a generator that was located inside their shed that was joined with the house.

TAVARES, Fla. - A Central Florida couple was found dead inside their home at the Tiki Village Mobile Park, with police suspecting a generator as the cause. 

Authorities believe Perry Leintz, 67, and Constance Albrecht, 85, may have died from carbon monoxide poisoning. Tavares police discovered the bodies during a welfare check after the couple had not been seen since before Hurricane Milton, which made landfall on Oct. 9.

According to neighbors, the couple had lost power and was using a generator in a shed connected to their home. 

"A neighbor made contact with them a day after the storm to check up on them and let them know they had also lost power. After that, no one had heard from them," Tavares Police Detective Courtney Sullivan said.

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Neighbors told FOX 35 News that the couple survived the storm without significant damage but had been warned against using the generator in an enclosed space. Despite the warnings, police say the generator was found inside the shed attached to the home.

"It’s not common to find two deceased individuals inside a home, especially when there are no signs of foul play," Sullivan added. "It definitely raised concerns for us on what it could’ve been."

Both individuals showed signs consistent with carbon monoxide poisoning, but the official cause of death will be determined after the Medical Examiner’s Office completes autopsies, which could take several weeks.

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