Man Finds Sister's Dismembered Remains in Florida Backyard

Alejandro Llanes traveled to his sister Areles Llanes’ Cape Coral, Florida home in January 2025 after weeks of failed attempts to reach her. What he found was severely decomposed remains in the backyard - no legs, no arms - in a home covered in filth and dog waste. Areles, 58, lived alone with three large dogs: a shepherd mix, a Labrador retriever, and a third unidentified breed. Cape Coral Police said they were not treating the death as suspicious, and there was no evidence of foul play. Animal control took the dogs into custody for evaluation.

The Scene and Alejandro’s Account

Alejandro described the home as deplorable, with dog feces blanketing the floors. He told reporters: “No legs, no arms. It was like a big bag of skin. It was like, ‘God, I can’t believe what I’m looking at and seeing.’” He theorized that Areles may have collapsed in the backyard and that after days without food, the dogs - left unattended and hungry - may have scavenged her remains out of survival instinct.

Alejandro said his sister had struggled with heavy drinking and consistently isolated herself from family, refusing offers of help. “She confessed to me that she could not stop drinking, and I told her, well, but at least let me help you, you know? And she always refused,” he said. He had repeatedly invited her to family gatherings - including Christmas and New Year’s - and she consistently declined.

Investigation and Aftermath

Cape Coral Police did not determine a cause of death as criminally suspicious. The exact circumstances of Areles’ passing remained unclear at the time of reporting. The three dogs were held by animal control for behavioral evaluation pending a determination about re-homing. No charges were filed in connection with her death.

References: Man Finds Sister’s Dismembered Body in Fla. Home, Believes Her Remains Might Have Been Eaten by Her Dogs | Man Finds Sister’s Dismembered Body in Backyard: ‘We’ve Been Calling and No Answer’