Richard Gotes Mellano, aged 54, passed away on December 12, 2022, in Orlando, Florida. Mellano, affectionately known as "Buddha," was a beloved father, son, and brother. He was born on May 6, 1968, to Lenita Deal in the Philippines and later moved to the United States, where he built a life filled with family and friends. Mellano was known for his love of motorcycles and paintball, as well as his playful personality, often dressing up in silly outfits to bring joy to his coworkers.
He graduated from ITT with an engineering degree and worked as the head engineer at Unique Engineering. His sudden death left a void in the lives of those who knew him.
The circumstances surrounding Mellano's death were tragic and shocking. On the afternoon of December 12, 2022, Orange County deputies responded to a call of shots fired in the 200 block of Alston Drive in Orlando. Upon arrival, they found Mellano suffering from gunshot wounds. He was immediately transported to the Orlando Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. The investigation revealed that Mellano had been shot by 38-year-old Brandon Antonio Swinton, who was later found dead inside a home on Alston Drive from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. This incident was classified as a murder-suicide.
The Orange County Sheriff's Office conducted a thorough investigation into the murder-suicide. Deputies arrived at the scene around 2:42 p.m. after receiving reports of shots fired and a man down. They discovered Mellano with gunshot wounds and transported him to the hospital. Upon entering the home, they found Swinton deceased from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The relationship between Mellano and Swinton, as well as the motive behind the shooting, remains unclear. The investigation did not reveal any additional suspects or arrests related to the case.
The tragic death of Richard Gotes Mellano has left his family and friends in mourning. His passing was a significant loss to the community, and his memory is cherished by those who knew him. The investigation into the circumstances of his death concluded with the determination that it was a murder-suicide, with no further legal actions or litigations reported.
