Two antique shop owners from Florida were arrested and charged with the illegal trade of human remains. Kymberlee Schopper, 52, and her 33-year-old associate Ashley Lelesi, co-owners of the curio shop Wicked Wonderland, were apprehended for selling human bones via Facebook Marketplace. The incident emerged from an ongoing investigation into the trafficking of human organs and tissues, according to The Blaze.
The investigation, which began in December 2023 after a tip-off about the sale of human bones, revealed that the Facebook page for Wicked Wonderland advertised human bones for sale complete with pricing information. Police officials found six items listed on the page, with an estimated total value of $850. Items included two human skull fragments, a rib, and a clavicle, with prices ranging from $35 to $600, as reported by 20 Minutes.
Schopper was taken into custody and later released on a $7,500 bond, with her arraignment scheduled for May 1, 2025. It is reportedly unclear whether Schopper has hired legal representation. Meanwhile, Captain Sherif El-Shami from the Orange City Police Department stated, "This is something I haven't seen in the 17 years that I've worked for this agency," according to La Opinión.
The two women asserted that they were unaware of the illegality surrounding their actions under Florida law, a claim both have consistently made. They also insisted that the bones were educational models, which are legally permissible to sell in Florida. Lelesi further assured police that the store possessed multiple bone fragments purchased from private sellers and claimed to have documentation to support these transactions, although she could not provide the documents at the time.
The investigation discovered that the human remains, including a skull reportedly over 500 years old, could be of archaeological origin. Experts consulted by the Volusia County Medical Examiner's Office noted that some of the bones likely represent two different individuals, one from an archaeological context and another of anatomical origin. The experts stated that these bone fragments could date back more than 100 years, complicating the legality around their sale.
Wicked Wonderland, known for specializing in antiques, gothic decorations, and odd works of art, has been overshadowed by its association with the sale of human remains. The shop's website reflects this eclectic interest, stating, "Join us on a journey down our rabbit hole of curiosities, where the oddities of the world become the keys to unlocking a deeper appreciation for the diverse tapestry of existence."
In an attempt to clarify their intentions, the owners of Wicked Wonderland, who describe themselves as a mother and daughter team, claimed to come from a medical background with a passion for the preservation and exploration of anatomy. They have described their efforts as embracing the peculiar and misunderstood, emphasizing that each ethically sourced specimen is handled with care and respect.
The arrest and subsequent charges against Schopper and Lelesi, along with the investigation's findings, paint a complex picture of ethical and legal questions surrounding the trade of human remains, especially when such activities cross over from antiquities into potential archaeological artifacts. The case remains under investigation, with investigators continuing to explore the sales activities and origins of the human bones in question.
Lelesi’s current status regarding custody remains unclear, as does the matter of her legal representation, adding further layers of complexity to the case. The public and authorities await further insights from the legal proceedings set to unfold in the coming months.
The article was written with the assistance of a news analysis system.