The decomposing remains of an elderly man known in his neighborhood as "Fal" were found inside the cistern of his own home in the Modelo neighborhood, in the city of Camagüey, this Friday, June 5.
The case was made known on social media by content creator Ariadna Borges, whose video about the discovery in Camagüey accumulated over 420,000 views in just a few hours.
The victim was an elderly man who lived alone and was well-known in the neighborhood for running a mechanical and welding workshop for many years.
His children, residing in United States, noticed his absence since the previous Monday and, unable to contact him, decided to report to the Cuban authorities to verify his whereabouts.
An unknown family was occupying the house
When the police arrived at the residence along with the president of the CDR, they found an unfamiliar family living in the property.
The occupants claimed to have bought the house from the elderly man, but all of his belongings were still inside.
A strong, foul odor alerted those present, who proceeded to inspect the property.
“Upon inspecting the property, authorities made a terrible discovery: the victim's remains were hidden inside the cistern,” reported on social media the activist Lidia Broek, who also echoed the grim incident.
The publications have unleashed a wave of reactions among Cubans.
“How is it possible to live with a decomposing corpse inside a residence? Cuba has become an underworld,” questioned a user.
Another commented, "It's hard to understand how someone can commit such an act just to seize a home."
A third person lamented, "He was a beloved and hardworking individual. It is hard to believe that it ended this way."
Many pointed to the social deterioration reflected in crime: "They have normalized violence. It hurts to see what the country is becoming."
Cubans who have followed the case on social media agree on one demand: "Those responsible must face the full force of the law."
A pattern of increasing violence against the elderly
The case of "Fal" is not an isolated incident.
In April 2026, the elderly welder Dagoberto was stabbed and slashed in his home in the Isle of Youth during a blackout, allegedly for the theft of around 80 dollars.
That same month, five suspects were arrested for the murder of two elderly people and an aunt in Santa Clara, Villa Clara.
The Cuban Observatory for Citizen Audit (OCAC) documented 2,833 crimes in Cuba in 2025, marking a 115% increase compared to 2024 and a 337% rise compared to 2023, with murders averaging more than ten per month in the first half of that year.
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