Detectives from the Highlands County Sheriff's office are investigating the murder of a 95-year-old man.
Dominick Demundo was found on the kitchen floor, Monday afternoon after deputies stopped by to do a welfare check off Wellington Drive in Sebring.
Highlands County Sheriff's Office Public Information Officer, Nell Hays, described it as a violent and graphic scene.
"It's a shame that somebody that's lived 95 years should come to an end such as that," Hays said.
Deputies said Demundo recently hired people to help him around the house; they would like to speak with those people and anyone who may have information about Demundo's death.
"I feel so terrible. It's not fair what these…whoever did this to my uncle, I hope he feels guilt. I hope he comes around and he can't sleep at night. He took my uncle away from us," Demundo's niece, Frances Ann Ruiz said.
Demundo meant so much to Ruiz. He was her Godfather. Ruiz, who lives outside of Highlands County, spoke over the phone with ABC Action News.
"When I was little I looked up to him. I admired him. He had a great sense of humor," Ruiz said.
Ruiz knew something was wrong because her uncle always called her back and she hadn't heard from him since Friday. On Monday, a friend called her.
"One of his friends went to his house and she called me and asked me and asked if anyone heard from him all weekend," Ruiz said.
Ruiz continued, "the friend was there at his house knocking on his door, while she was on the phone with me. She heard the TV. She heard the TV on and the phone was ringing while we were calling him".
People can call Crime Stoppers with information about this case at 1 (800) 226-TIPS or the Highlands County Sheriff's Office at (863) 402-7250.
"He was just a good man. He didn't deserve this," Ruiz said.
