An 82-year-old man, who was stuck in an elevator for nearly a month despite pushing the emergency button twice, was found dead last week after people reported a foul smell.
Isaak Komisarchik had been missing since July 5. Between the morning of July 6 and August 2, Komisarchik is believed to have died after he was unable to escape an elevator, possibly because of dementia.
Elevator repair workers finally discovered his body after multiple residents of the Woodstream Village apartments reported a terrible smell coming from the parking-garage, according to the Daily Mail.
Komisarchik died between the morning of July 6 and August 2 after he was unable to escape an elevator, possibly because of dementia. Photo / Google Maps
Authorities said a criminal investigation confirmed Komisarchik pressed the emergency button twice, according to the Denver Post.
Denver Fire Department spokesman Capt Greg Pixley said detectives are now trying to determine why no one responded.
Family members said the last time they saw Komisarchik, he was wearing gray pajama pants and a gray-and-white striped shirt around 2pm on July 5.
"He actually walked to the mailbox to pick up the mail and to the office to get some things from there and then he just disappeared," his daughter, Yelena told 9 News.
She told the station that her father "couldn't take long walks".
"He physically couldn't do that," Yelena said, adding that he had 'mental' issues that come with age.
"He could've gotten disoriented at times," she said.
When Komisarchik was first reported missing, Denver firefighters searched five ponds near Woodstream in an attempt to find him.
When Komisarchik was first reported missing, Denver firefighters (pictured) searched five ponds near Woodstream in an attempt to find him. Photo / Denver Fire Department
Authorities determined that Komisarchik pushed the emergency button twice on July 6 at 9.09am and 9.17am, and got no response.
Denver's elevator code requires elevator operators to monitor emergency notifications around the clock.
The garage elevator at Woodstream Village was last inspected in December and found to be in good working order, authorities said.
All elevator cars must have signalling devices including an emergency switch labelled "Alarm" adjacent to the car's operating panel and a phone or intercom labelled "Help" allowing two-way communication with security.
The fire department said they didn't receive any emergency calls from that particular elevator car during the period of time Komisarchik was in it.
However, the parking-garage where Komisarchik was found had been closed for renovation.
When a Denver firefighter responded, the elevator doors were open. Elevator maintenance workers had just found Komisarchik's body inside the car, Pixley told the Post.
"Something is not right," Pixley said.
The elevators at the apartment complex are monitored by MEI Total Elevator Solutions monitors.
A DailyMail.com request for comment to MEI was not immediately returned.
Greystar Management Services oversees operations at the Woodstream apartment complex. The company said they are currently investigating the incident with local authorities.
Numerous Woodstream residents complained to managers of a strong odour emanating from the garage area but nothing was done.
