In a shocking twist worthy of a Hollywood thriller, millionaire furniture mogul Joseé Lantigua, once celebrated as Jacksonville’s “King of Discount Furniture,” has been exposed for faking his own death. Authorities allege Lantigua orchestrated an elaborate scheme involving a fabricated illness, deceiving his family and the insurance industry for an estimated $8 million payout.
The charade began when Lantigua, claiming to suffer from the fatal brain disease known as Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD), convinced his wife, Daphne Simpson, that he had only months to live. This tale of impending doom was designed to mask a far more sinister plot: a desperate attempt to escape mounting debts and financial ruin.
Daphne, a deeply religious woman, fell for Lantigua’s charm and elaborate stories, believing she had found her prince. Their whirlwind romance culminated in a lavish wedding, but soon after, the fairy tale took a dark turn. Lantigua’s claim of terminal illness was merely a ruse to set the stage for his grand exit.
As Lantigua spun tales of military exploits and a vengeful drug cartel, he convinced Daphne to aid in his deceit. He instructed her to prepare for his “death” in Venezuela, where he claimed to be receiving treatment. Under the guise of a grieving widow, she even traveled to South America, armed with cash to secure a fraudulent death certificate.
Back in Jacksonville, Lantigua’s absence raised suspicions. Investigators began to unravel the web of lies, discovering inconsistencies in the supposed death. Lantigua’s plan began to crumble when insurance adjusters demanded proof, leading them to question the authenticity of his death certificate.
Meanwhile, Lantigua was alive and hiding in Venezuela, crafting a new identity. His miscalculations would eventually lead to his downfall. After sneaking back into the U.S., he was apprehended by federal agents while attempting to obtain a new passport.
The fallout from this scandal has been devastating. Both Lantigua and Daphne faced legal repercussions, with Lantigua sentenced to 14 years in prison for conspiracy and fraud. Daphne, who believed she was protecting her family, served 17 months behind bars and now grapples with the consequences of her husband’s deceit.
As the dust settles on this bizarre saga, Daphne is left to pick up the pieces of her shattered life. Once a woman of faith and stability, she now faces a future burdened by restitution and the emotional scars of betrayal. The fairy tale has ended, revealing a grim reality that no one could have anticipated.
