A Universal Orlando ride technician’s death last November was caused by low-voltage electrocution and ruled accidental by the Orange-Osceola Medical Examiner’s Office.

Leopoldo Buenaventura was found around 2 a.m. Nov. 8 with no pulse in the rafters of the Men in Black ride. He had worked at Universal Studios for 12 years.

Universal spokesman Tom Schroder refused to comment Friday.

Buenaventura, 60, was married to his wife of 37 years and they had three children and one grandchild. He was born in Cavite, Philippines and worked as an aeronautic engineer for Philippine Airlines and British Airways for more than 20 years before taking the Universal position.

“He (Buenaventura) touched the hearts of many with gentle eyes, big laughs and funny jokes,” his family wrote in his obituary. “He was a man of many trades, excelling in gardening, carpentry, construction and cooking — all of which became his beloved hobbies.”

Forensic senior program manager Sheri Blanton said the medical examiner’s office ruled the death as accidental. She said toxicology test results are still pending and the final report should be completed by the end of the month.

 

About The Author

The youngest of seven children, Terry O. Roen followed two older brothers into journalism. Her career started as a reporter for the Orlando Sentinel, where she wrote stories on city and county government, schools, courts and religion. She has also reported for the Associated Press, where she covered the Casey Anthony and Trayvon Martin trials along with the Pulse massacre. Married to her husband, Hal, they have two children and live in Winter Park. A lifelong tourist in her own state, she writes about Central Florida’s growing tourism industry for Florida Politics and Orlando Rising.

Related Posts