Orange County

Cremated remains found in former state guardian’s office identified, FDLE says

ORLANDO, Fla. — Human remains found in a former state guardian’s office have been identified, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

Former guardian, Rebecca Fierle, was accused of filing “Do Not Resuscitate” orders for people without the family’s or court’s permission.

Last year at least two judges ordered her removed as guardian from more than 100 cases in Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties.

In August, the FDLE obtained a search warrant to go inside her office on Hillcrest Street. Inside, they found the cremated remains of 10 people and a dog. All but one of them have been identified.

The FDLE isn’t releasing the names of the nine people identified, but Channel 9 has submitted a Public Records request to obtain them.

Read: Former guardian defrauded AdventHealth of millions, report says

Fierle isn’t facing any criminal charges. The FDLE said, “the presence of the cremated remains recovered at the office does not necessarily constitute a crime.”

Rick Black, who became an advocate for stopping guardianship abuse after it happened to his father-in-law, said he is concerned about what the FDLE found.

“Her having control or possession of remains, one, I don’t think it’s criminal -- it’s inappropriate, it’s immoral.”

He said if any charges are filed, those cases take at least two years.


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