Man ‘beaten into a coma’ after asking neighbors to turn music down

A man was left so badly beaten after a confrontation with his neighbors that he was unrecognisable even to his own family, according to local media.

Frank Penkava, 42, from Florida, was placed in a medically induced coma with multiple fractures to his face following the brutal attack, NBC Miami reported.

The alleged incident occurred in the early hours of June 14 when Penkava walked over to his neighbors’ house to ask them to turn down their music.

Instead, he was violently assaulted with a weapon and left with life-threatening injuries, the 42-year-old’s sister Gina Horvath said.

She told NBC that, afterwards, she was only able to recognise him by his tattoos.

Sharing a distressing photo of her brother on a GoFundMe page, she wrote on June 23: “He is a son, brother, father, friend and an amazing man. He has been in ICU in a medically induced coma for the last nine days..

“He needs life saving surgery however he is not stable enough. He has a long road ahead and many surgeries in his future.

“He will be in the hospital for a long time,” she added.

Indeed, more than a month after the attack, Penkava remains in hospital. News site WPLG Local10 reports that his condition remains too unstable for him to receive the surgery he so desperately needs.

Horvath said her younger brother has multiple broken bones and that he contracted an infection at the hospital. He remains in pain and is still suffering from significant bruising and swelling, plus doctors are also checking for potential permanent brain damage.

She told the site: “He continues to fight every day but he’s very, very sick.”

Penkava’s family released a photo of what he looked like before the violent attackFamily handout via NBC Miami

In the earlier interview with NBC, she spoke of the brutality of the alleged assailants, saying: “There is no reason for what they did to him.

“I understand that people get into altercations all the time and people’s emotions are high, especially over the last year, but there was nothing to warrant what they did to him.”

“He went to work, did his job and paid his bills. He didn’t bother anybody. So for anybody to do what they have done to him, I am seeking justice and I will not stop until I have justice for my brother.”

She said someone called 911 at the time but the family aren’t sure who and have had difficulty getting answers from police.

Penkava’s mother (left) and sister Gina have vowed to fight for justiceNBC Miami

In the same interview with NBC, Penkava’s mother explained that the 42-year-old was father to a little boy.

“He is going to be four years old,” she said. “He is beautiful and he may never know his dad.”

The heartbroken mum added: “We don’t know what damage has been done mentally, let alone all of the physical issues he has. It’s very disheartening.”

On her fundraising page, Horvath said she is “looking to collect funds to offer a reward for information leading to an arrest of these criminals.”

She added that money received will also go toward paying her brother’s hospital bills and legal costs.

“Please help me help him,” she said. “Pray for my brother.”

Indy100 has contacted Hollywood Police Department, Florida, for comment.