Is Lantigua Dead or Alive?

The U.S. embassy in Caracas said former finance executive andCircle K Furniture owner Jose Lantigua died in April when traveling inVenezuela.  His estate, including his twofurniture stores in Jacksonville, is being broken up to settle nearly $10 millionin unpaid bills.

The Hartford Life and Annuity Insurance Company now refuses topay out an estimated $2.5 million life insurance policy, claiming Lantigua isalive and living in Venezuela.  Creditorsare waiting for Hartford to back up its claim that Lantigua is still alive. 

See StevePatterson, Did Duval Businessman Fake HisDeath, Leave Millions in Bills Unpaid?, The Florida Times-Union, Oct. 30,2013.