Jason Similien: Ex-Worker Charged in Fort Lauderdale Death

Jason Similien, a 26-year-old man with autism, died on June 30, 2023, after he was found unresponsive at the Genuine Love and Care assisted living facility in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. More than three years later, Fort Lauderdale police have arrested a former employee of the facility, 43-year-old Jimmy Alexis, on a manslaughter charge in connection with his death.

The arrest came on Tuesday, October 6, 2026. Alexis has since been released on bond and denies the allegations. Similien's family, who are already suing the group home in civil court, say through their attorney that concerns about the employee had been raised inside the facility before Jason died.

Who Was Jason Similien?

Public reporting on Jason Similien's life is limited. He was 26 and lived at Genuine Love and Care, an assisted living facility on Northwest 6th Place in Fort Lauderdale. NBC 6 South Florida reported that he had autism, and that the facility's owners told investigators he also lived with psychosis and anxiety.

Adam Finkle, the attorney representing Similien's family, told NBC 6 that the facility was familiar with his needs. "This was a specialized place that knew about Jason, knew about Jason's struggles and where he had come from," Finkle said.

What Happened at the Fort Lauderdale Facility?

Law&Crime, which reviewed the arrest affidavit, reported that police were called to the facility early on June 30, 2023, when Similien was found unresponsive, and that he was pronounced dead at a hospital at 7:42 a.m. The medical examiner ruled the manner of death a homicide, the outlet reported.

Investigators allege that Alexis physically restrained Similien more than once that night. NBC 6 reported that, according to court documents, another employee told police Alexis used a neck restraint on Similien until he lost consciousness, and that this happened multiple times. That employee also gave investigators audio recordings, according to both outlets.

Finkle told NBC 6 that the encounter began with a request for a snack. "Jason was actually asking for cookies," he said.

Law&Crime also reported that police arranged a monitored phone call between a staff member and Alexis. During that call, the affidavit alleges, Alexis told the staff member what to say to police and asked that the facility logbook not be mentioned.

Has Anyone Been Arrested?

Yes. Fort Lauderdale police officials told NBC 6 that the department's Fugitive Unit located Jimmy Alexis on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, and arrested him on a warrant. Police said the department worked with the Broward State Attorney's Office to formally charge him. Officials described the charge as manslaughter; NBC 6 also refers to it as aggravated manslaughter.

Law&Crime reported that bond was set at $25,000. WPLG Local 10 reported that Alexis was released from jail on bond on Thursday, October 8, and that he denied the allegations against him.

Alexis is accused, not convicted. He is presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilty in court.

What Police and the Defense Have Said

Police told NBC 6 that a death investigation determined foul play was involved. The reports reviewed for this article do not say why more than three years passed between Similien's death and the arrest.

Alexis's defense attorney raised that gap in court on Wednesday, October 7. "This just came out of nowhere," the attorney said, according to NBC 6. "It's very strange to be making an arrest three years later." The attorney said Alexis now works elsewhere and denies all of the allegations.

According to Law&Crime's account of the affidavit, Alexis acknowledged restraining Similien "four to five times" that night and said he did not choke him. He told police that Similien later went to bed on his own, and that he found him unresponsive when he checked on him shortly before 7 a.m.

What Similien's Family Alleges About the Facility

The family's attorney places part of the responsibility on the group home itself. Finkle told NBC 6 that employees had filed internal complaints about Alexis before Similien's death and that he was not fired. He also said Alexis had not been adequately trained. "The idea that Jimmy was acting properly is without reason," Finkle said.

These allegations have not been proven. NBC 6 reported that it contacted the facility's owners and their attorneys and had not received a response. The family's civil case against the group home and the property owners is ongoing, the station reported.

What Happens Next

Law&Crime reported that Alexis is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday, October 13, 2026.

The family's civil lawsuit continues separately. The reports reviewed do not give a trial date in either case.

Timeline of the Jason Similien Case

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is charged in Jason Similien's death?

Jimmy Alexis, 43, a former employee of the facility, was arrested on October 6, 2026, on a manslaughter charge. He denies the allegations and is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

Why did the arrest take more than three years?

The reports reviewed for this article do not give a reason. Fort Lauderdale police said a death investigation found foul play and that the department worked with the Broward State Attorney's Office to bring the charge. The defense has questioned the timing.

Is there a lawsuit over Jason Similien's death?

Yes. NBC 6 reported that Similien's family has an ongoing civil case against the group home and the property owners.

MotiveX covers cases like this in documentary form on YouTube.

Sources

• NBC 6 South Florida: report on the arrest of a former Fort Lauderdale assisted living employee, with police, defense and family attorney statements
• Law&Crime: report on the arrest affidavit, bond and court date in the Jason Similien case
• WPLG Local 10: report on the accused employee's release on bond