A Venezuelan singer was found at the bottom of his own backyard pool, and first responders’ radio traffic described him as “tied up.”
Gustavo Enrique Ormo, 45, the singer, composer and pianist who performed as Gus Ormo, was found face down in the pool of his Weston, Fla., home on the morning of Friday, Oct. 16. The Broward County Medical Examiner’s Office has not yet determined how he died.
Deputies and Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue crews answered a report of a possible drowning on Quail Roost Drive. They found an adult male submerged and pronounced him dead at the scene.
The agency brought in Homicide and Crime Scene detectives and called the circumstances suspicious. Authorities have not confirmed a cause or manner of death, and the sheriff’s office said Monday that it would release nothing further while its investigation, which it described as “open and active,” continues. The medical examiner’s office will determine both, the agency said.
A Long Rope in the Water
He was found surrounded by a long cord, CBS Miami reported. First responders’ radio communications from Friday, Oct. 16, archived by the site Broadcastify, described Ormo as “tied up” and found at the bottom of the pool. Authorities have said nothing about what the object was or whether it had any connection to his death.
His Brother Called 911 in Spanish
The sheriff’s office released the 911 call Monday, Oct. 19, capturing the moment Ormo’s brother found him. The family had tried without success to reach the musician, and their mother was worried, so the brother went to the house with their parents.
Speaking in Spanish, the brother told the dispatcher he believed Ormo had taken his own life and was in the pool. The dispatcher asked how many people were in the water. Only his brother, he answered.
Why the Examiner Isn’t Finished Yet
Thomas Steinkamp, chief of investigative services for the Broward County Office of Medical Examiner and Trauma Services, wrote in an email to the South Florida Sun Sentinel that “this matter is the subject of an active criminal investigation.” His office’s review is continuing and requires further testing and study, he added, and establishing how and why Ormo died could take as long as 90 days.
From Ballads to a Jazz Album
Ormo was born in Maracaibo, Venezuela, and built a large social media following with Spanish-language ballads. His song “100 Suspiros” drew millions of views, and he released the nine-track album “Alquimia” in 2025.
Earlier this month he pivoted to jazz with a piano album titled “Agape,” featuring two Grammy-winning musicians, saxophonist Ed Calle and bassist Carlitos del Puerto. His last Instagram post, shared the day before he was found, promoted a project he called “AGAPE Behind the Music.”
At a red-carpet event in Aventura in January, Ormo spoke about being happy with his career and about his Venezuelan roots. He built a tribute song to Venezuela around reconciliation and unity.
His sister, Antonieta Ormo, confirmed his death to CBS Miami on Friday, Oct. 16, telling the station the family knew little about what may have happened and that the days since had been painful for those closest to him. Reposting a Univision story about her brother’s death on Instagram, she commented in Spanish, in a remark translated as: “My brother only went to a better plane — a dimension of light and music.”
Calle, who worked on the final album, told Miami New Times: “Gus was a beautiful person, a dear friend, and a hard-working artist pursuing his dream.” He added that he would miss Ormo’s warmth and creativity, and that the musician had been focused on sharing messages of love and peace.
Public records show Ormo had owned the house on Quail Roost Drive for several years. Neighbors said he kept a low profile.
Anyone in a mental health crisis can call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
