Two women arrested after selling human remains on Facebook 'for years'
A pair of Florida women have been arrested after police discovered they'd been selling 'human remains' over the internet.
The Orange City Police Department accused Kymberlee Schopper and Ashley Lelesi of having used Facebook Marketplace as a means of advertising their products.
Captain Sherif El-Shami, a representative from the Sunshine State's force, later told the press that his team hadn't seen a case as stomach-wrenching 'in 17 years'.
However, it turns out that 52-year-old Schopper's super-niche store, Wicked Wonderland, had been under investigation since 2023, according to the charging affidavit, when police received a tip-off regarding a store allegedly 'attempting to sell human bones'.
Previously, the Orange City store was famed in the area for offering preservation services, as well as selling a number of antique and Gothic items, and unusual pieces of dark art.
Describing themselves as a 'mother and daughter team', their page claims (via NBC News): "Having both come from a medical background we have a passion for sharing our knowledge and expertise in the preservation and exploration of anatomy and pathology of all organic beings."
According to the anonymous tip given to police, Wicked Wonderland were advertising 'human bones' on their social media page.
The affidavit further claims that the description of said advert mentioned 'various' body parts that customers could buy, including bones that allegedly ranged from $90 to $600 in price.
Upon further investigation, police discovered that some of the bone fragments in question had been of 'archaeological origin', whilst others were of 'anatomical origin' - the latter ruling of which led to Schopper's initial arrest.
Earlier this week, NBC also reported that police discovered two human skull fragments (which were being sold for a total of $90), a human clavicle and scapula (retailed for $90), a human rib (for the going rate of $35), human vertebrae (advertised as $35), and a partial human skull (making up the $600 price point).
Schopper and Lelesi have both been charged with the purchase or sale of human organs and tissue, ABC News reports.
According to Metro, it remains unclear whether 33-year-old Lelesi was also apprehended by responding officers at this time.
During questioning, she allegedly claimed she had no idea that selling human remains was illegal, and that they'd been doing it for several years.
The affidavit further explains: "She confirmed that the store had multiple human bone fragments, all purchased from private sellers, and mentioned she has documentation for these transactions but could not provide it at that moment."
The legal document added of Lelesi: "She described the bones as genuine human remains and delicate in nature."
An update shared to the store's official Facebook page subsequently notified readers: "Wicked Wonderland is currently temporarily closed due to dedicating our time to the care of a beloved family member in their final moments.
"Absolutely nothing more."
Despite Schopper's arrest having been confirmed, the online message said: "While there may be a whirlwind of misguiding information and horrendous assumptions and opinions, we’re choosing to focus on what we always have: Life, love, death and Family."
Schopper has since been released from Volusia County Jail on a $7,500 bond, as per NBC. However, ABC News further reports that it is unknown whether Lelesi is in police custody or has obtained a lawyer.
Tyla has contacted Orange City Police Department for comment.
