A shocking discovery led to a medical emergency for an Arkansas homeowner last month.
Gary Brankel, 75, experienced a heart attack triggered by the stress of finding two squatters in his home, who claimed to have taken over the property during his absence due to medical treatment, New York Post reported.
Brankel had returned to his Maysville residence on May 30 after an unspecified duration at a rehabilitation facility. To his dismay, he found that Kelly DeShields, 54, and Matthew Villagran, 46, had been living in his house without his consent. These individuals claimed ownership of his property, a claim bolstered by dubious legal advice sourced from the internet.
According to a probable cause affidavit, DeShields admitted to acting on guidance she found online. She believed that by paying the property taxes and maintaining the property, she could rightfully claim ownership. The affidavit states that she later conceded that no official at the revenue office had given her explicit permission to occupy Brankel’s home.
Upon their arrest on June 5, it was discovered that DeShields and Villagran had not only occupied Brankel's home but had also reportedly destroyed some of his belongings. A fresh burn pile on the premises contained what looked like remnants of Brankel’s personal documents and home decor.
The intrusion and subsequent destruction within his home took a severe toll on Brankel's health. Officials reported, "His current condition remains unclear, but he was able to confirm that he did not recognize DeShields and Villagran, nor did he ever give them permission to occupy his home."
His distress was so acute that it resulted in a stress-induced heart attack, shortly after confronting the squatters at his residence. Currently, the details of his health status following hospitalization remain undisclosed.
Following their arrest, DeShields and Villagran were booked into the Benton County Detention Center. DeShields's bond was set at $25,000, while Villagran was held on a $15,000 bond. They are both facing charges related to the unauthorized occupation and the damage inflicted on Brankel’s property.
In the evidence against them, DeShields even presented a receipt showing she had paid $162 as assessment fees, asserting that these were for taxes tied to the ownership claim on Brankel's home. This direct action aligns with her misunderstood belief that paying these fees gave her legal rights to the property.
The court has scheduled a hearing for DeShields and Villagran on July 15, where the specifics of their case will be further examined. The community and legal observers are keenly watching to see how justice will be served in this disturbing invasion of privacy and security.
In conclusion, Gary Brankel's ordeal began with an unauthorized occupation of his home and escalated to significant personal health issues. The full extent of legal repercussions for DeShields and Villagran will unfold in the coming weeks, as the local community and legal systems respond to this violation of property rights and personal safety.
