XAVIER ANTONIO ALEX FITZPATRICK arrested after severely malnourished dog found dead in motel bathroom

- Florida, USA -

The Riviera Beach Police Department arrested 32-year-old XAVIER ANTONIO ALEX FITZPATRICK (pictured).

On July 7, 2026, officers were dispatched to Motel 6, located at 3651 West Blue Heron Boulevard, following the discovery of a deceased dog in one of the rooms.

The owner of Motel 6, whom I will refer to as Mr. RM, was alerted by housekeeping staff after a dead dog was found in the bathroom of Room 250, along with a large amount of blood.

According to a probable cause affidavit from the Riviera Beach Police Department, one of the responding officers detected a “strong odor of decomposition” and observed “a decomposing dog with blood underneath and around its body. Feces all around the bathroom and a food wall near the wall of the bathroom.”

When Mr. RM spoke with police, he told officers that he had seen FITZPATRICK walking the dog on a leash on the property.

Animal Care and Control was called to the scene, and officers took custody of the dog.

The affidavit identified the dog as a male Red Nose Pitbull named Blaze.

During the investigation, authorities learned that FITZPATRICK’s wife was Blaze’s guardian. 

According to the affidavit, when investigators interviewed FITZPATRICK’s girlfriend, she stated that FITZPATRICK and his wife were “trying to rekindle their relationship” while she and FITZPATRICK were also “rekindling their relationship.”

FITZPATRICK’s girlfriend told investigators that his wife became upset, picked up her children and belongings, and left the motel, leaving Blaze with FITZPATRICK.

According to FITZPATRICK’s girlfriend, his wife said she would return later to pick up Blaze and drop off food, but she did not do so.

FITZPATRICK’s girlfriend also told investigators that she gave FITZPATRICK money for Blaze’s food on approximately three occasions. She further stated that FITZPATRICK had called his wife and warned her, “Your dog is gonna die, you need to take it to the vet.”

When investigators interviewed FITZPATRICK’s wife, she told them that the entire family had been staying at Motel 6. She explained that she left the motel with her children and added that where she was going she could not take Blaze. She offered for her sister to pick up Blaze, but FITZPATRICK opposed the idea and said that Blaze was fine with him.

According to the affidavit, FITZPATRICK’s wife repeatedly checked on Blaze, and each time FITZPATRICK assured her that the dog was doing well and that he would be responsible for him. She also told investigators that her sister attempted to retrieve Blaze from FITZPATRICK, but he again said that the dog was fine.

According to a medical report by Dr. Rusell Baxley of Animal Care and Control, Blaze’s body condition was “very poor.”

Dr. Baxley reported that Blaze’s body had large numbers of maggots and beetles and that his liver was black and shrunken. He also reported that Blaze’s stomach contained no ingesta, his intestines were empty, and there was a noticeable absence of fatty tissue on his body and abdomen. Dr. Baxley further reported the presence of maggots in Blaze’s internal organs.

The affidavit states that photographs taken by Animal Care and Control suggested that, at the time of his death, Blaze “had access to only rotting food in a bowl but had been drinking from a toilet.”

According to the affidavit, marks were found on the closed toilet seat. Investigators stated that this suggested Blaze had attempted to access water from the toilet but was unable to do so because there was no water left, and that he ultimately died of dehydration. The affidavit further stated that Blaze was severely malnourished and likely died of dehydration first.

“Once the body of the dog was located, it is obvious that it stayed at the same location without being properly disposed of by the person registered to be renting Room # 250”, stated the affidavit.

Based on the evidence gathered during the investigation, authorities determined that probable cause existed to charge FITZPATRICK with one count of aggravated animal cruelty.

FITZPATRICK was arrested on September 9, 2026, and was released from the Palm Beach County Jail after posting bond.

Court records show that FITZPATRICK is scheduled to appear in Palm Beach County Circuit Court on October 15, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. for his arraignment.

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Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is based on the probable cause affidavit obtained by Voice For Us. Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available.

In the case of charges being dropped, dismissed, or the case being purged, this article will be rectified accordingly, if official documentation is provided to Voice For Us.

Mugshot shared from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office.

For more animal cruelty stories, please click here. Thank you!

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