TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA: Peter Antonacci, the director of Florida's election fraud office, was allegedly left unattended and in a state described as "dead or dying" for nearly 24 minutes in the hallway outside Governor Ron DeSantis' office before anyone came to his assistance.
The 74-year-old Antonacci died from a heart attack on September 23, 2022, less than three months after DeSantis named him the head of the Office of Election Crimes and Security.
According to a report on Antonacci's death, Florida Bulldog, an independent online watchdog of the state's politics and government, noted that he had "a lengthy medical history of heart disease and cardiac problems that led to multiple surgeries."
Antonacci had a lengthy career in state government, having worked for both Republicans and Democrats. From 1991 until 1997, he served as deputy attorney general under Democratic Attorney General Bob Butterworth
Antonacci's extensive career included appointments to various positions by Governors Bob Graham, Jeb Bush, Charlie Crist, Rick Scott, and Ron DeSantis.
Over the course of his professional journey, he assumed leadership roles in several organizations, including the South Florida Water Management District, Enterprise Florida, the Ethics Commission, and the State Prosecutor.
Peter Antonacci died after a heated meeting
Florida Bulldog revealed that Antonacci died after a heated meeting in the governor's office, contrary to the initial generic statement that reported his death as occurring "at work in the Capitol building."
Witnesses recounted that Antonacci became "agitated" and "frustrated" at various junctures during the meeting, although the specific purpose of the meeting was redacted from the document
The 17 pages published online by the Bulldog do not offer any evidence confirming DeSantis' presence at the meeting, which transpired in his office's conference room. The gathering included the participation of Florida's Secretary of State James Byrd and FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass, among others.
According to the documents, FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass and FDLE General Counsel Ryan Newman were the initial responders who tried to revive Antonacci using CPR and an automated external defibrillator (AED) until paramedics arrived. Unfortunately, the AED "could not produce a shock."
Meanwhile, Florida Bulldog highlights the veil of secrecy that shrouded the incident and its aftermath, raising questions about the location of the incident, the individuals present, and the reasons behind Antonacci's potential agitation or frustration during the meeting.
The outlet also reported that no autopsy was performed by the medical examiner’s office following Antonacci’s death.
Internet reacts to Antonacci’s death
The Florida Bulldog’s report has garnered immense social media attention, with several users asking why no autopsy was performed after Antonacci’s death.
“I bet 24 minutes is not an unusual amount of time for Ron to notice another human in the room, much less 'it' might need something. Ron thought he was simply a quiet (his kind of) person who wasn't asking questions. Besides, Casey feels colder unless she's been lying in the sun,” one user said.
“Florida medical examiner who called it unusual not to have an autopsy in such a case,” a second user wrote.
“Let me guess: no autopsy and immediate cremation?” another user asked.
One critic expressed strong dissatisfaction, stating, "No autopsy?! And they hid it all? DeSantis is truly DeSatan."
Conversely, there were users who criticized DeSantis for Antonacci's death, with one remarking, "Such a lack of humanity. What a sorry bunch."
“They don’t care; they’re evil,” a user said.
Another user commented, “Alternatively, 'Official was dead in DeSantis’ office for 24 minutes before they notified law enforcement…'”
A user expressed a negative sentiment, stating, "EVERYTHING, about the guy who wants to be called Duh-Santis... from his head to the go-go or cowboy boots on his feet, is 'off.'"
Another comment suggested concern, stating, "If this guy ever leaves office, we are going to discover he did so much shit, Trump will seem like an amateur in comparison."
