DAVENPORT, Fla. — Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said they have arrested a 19-year-old for the stabbing death of a 67-year-old retired nurse.
At a press conference on Tuesday, Sheriff Judd said a neighbor of Joseph Torneo, 67, contacted the sheriff's office on Sunday after not seeing him for a couple of days.
Neighbor Louise Jutras tells Tampa Bay 28 that she was also concerned after Torneo was not answering her calls.
"I'm thinking he's laying on the floor and he can't get up. He needs help. Did I think he was murdered? No," Jutras said.
WATCH: 19-year-old stabbed man, beat him with a wine bottle in Davenport: Sheriff Judd
Torneo had a 19-year-old living with him as a roommate. Torneo had allegedly kicked the 19-year-old out of the house for not paying rent.
PCSO checked the area around the home but saw nothing unusual and left.
Sheriff Judd said neighbors went back to the home and found Torneo's dead body behind a locked bathroom door.
The deputy who initially searched the home has been taken off the street for more training, Sheriff Judd said.
Investigators said Torneo's car and bank card were missing. The card was used at nearby businesses.
Early Monday morning, deputies spotted the victim’s stolen vehicle. The suspect took off running after crashing into a ditch but was quickly captured.
Deputies identified the suspect as Julian Andre Trevino. Sheriff Judd said Trevino confessed to killing Torneo.
The suspect said he was angry about being thrown out of the home. He went back to the house and robbed the home while Torneo was asleep.
Torneo woke up, and the suspect got a knife and stabbed the victim. Sheriff Judd said he also used a wine bottle to beat him multiple times.
Friends said Torneo was a giving person who was always willing to help people.
“He went to church on Sundays and apparently, he was a grief counselor for people who needed someone to talk to," said Jutras.
Trevino had no criminal record.
He is in custody on multiple felonies, including first-degree murder.
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