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

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Updated  October 16, 2024 10:55pm EDT
FOX 35 Orlando
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Couple dead presumably from carbon monoxide

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

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.

"I was like, 'Can I help you or have my husband help you? Let us help you out and set up that generator for you," said Kelly Alvarado-Young. "These things happen. Hurricanes are horrible. We can expect them, and we can also expect to take safety measures seriously — like leaving generators outside."

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."

Both individuals showed signs consistent with carbon monoxide poisoning.

"You never want to run a generator inside an enclosed room, but it’s not just generators," explained David Kirlbury, the Director of Lake County Public Safety. "To be clear, anything that’s fossil-fueled — a gas-powered lantern, a gas-powered stove — if those things are not properly ventilated, they are putting CO poisoning into the atmosphere."

Kirlbury warned that is not easily detectable as it is odorless and colorless.

"You will not know you’re in that environment without technology to warn you of its presence," he added.

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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