Cedilien Forestal, a 49-year-old male employee of the Hyatt Regency Orlando, was tragically shot and killed on October 6, 2015. The incident occurred in the parking garage of the hotel, located on International Drive in Orlando, Florida. Forestal was found slumped over in his gold Toyota Camry with a gunshot wound. A witness reported hearing a loud pop after exiting an elevator with Forestal and subsequently encountering a man with a black bandanna covering his face and holding a gun.
This man, later identified as Mathnald Dareus, took a "shooter’s position" and pointed the gun at the witness before fleeing the scene in a red Toyota Solaris.
Mathnald Dareus, 37, was quickly apprehended by deputies approximately three miles from the hotel. He was found with a black bandanna, a gun, and blood on his hands, which tested positive for gunshot residue. Dareus was charged with first-degree murder and aggravated assault in connection with the death of Cedilien Forestal. This was not Dareus' first encounter with law enforcement; he had previously been named a person of interest in the 2010 disappearance of his 34-year-old wife, Marie Delly, in Naples, Florida. Despite inconsistencies in his statements, Dareus had not been eliminated as a suspect in his wife's case.
The investigation into Forestal's death revealed that he and Dareus knew each other, although the motive for the shooting remains unclear. The swift response by law enforcement, aided by an initiative to increase patrols in the tourist district, led to Dareus' arrest within minutes of the incident. Dareus was held without bond at the Orange County Jail. The Hyatt Regency Orlando emphasized their commitment to the safety and security of their guests and employees, cooperating fully with local authorities during the investigation.
In the subsequent legal proceedings, Mathnald Dareus was convicted of first-degree murder and aggravated assault with a firearm. The case highlighted the tragic loss of Cedilien Forestal, a dedicated hotel employee, and brought some measure of justice for his untimely death.
