A Florida-based curio shop owner has been accused of selling genuine human remains, an act that is considered illegal. Kymberlee Schopper, 52, co-owns Wicked Wonderland in Orange City, Florida, a store known for its unique and somewhat eerie merchandise. However, law enforcement officials allege that Schopper knowingly sold real human remains.
The allegations came to light after a local Fox affiliate, WOFL, obtained an arrest warrant. The warrant revealed that Schopper’s business partner confirmed the presence of multiple human bone fragments in the store, all of which were reportedly purchased from private sellers. Schopper, on the other hand, claimed that these bone fragments were part of “educational models,” for which she had documentation.
The Daytona Beach News-Journal reported that the case was first brought to the attention of the police in December 2023. A local woman had tipped off the police about Wicked Wonderland’s Facebook Marketplace page, where real bone fragments were being offered for sale. The arrest warrant listed several items described as “human” bone fragments, along with their prices. These included two human skull fragments for $90, a human clavicle and scapula for $90, a human rib for $35, human vertebrae for $35, and a partial human skull for $600.
Upon investigation, Schopper’s business partner, Ashley Lelesi, reportedly admitted to the police that the shop had been selling human bones for several years. Lelesi confirmed the presence of multiple human bone fragments in the store, all purchased from private sellers. She claimed to have documentation for these transactions but was unable to provide it at the time. Lelesi described the bones as genuine human remains and delicate in nature.
Lelesi was reportedly “nervous” during the police’s visit and claimed she was unaware that selling human remains was illegal. When questioned, Schopper maintained that the remains were “educational models,” which were legal to sell under Florida law. However, Orange City Police Captain Sherif El-Shami clarified that regardless of where the remains were purchased, selling them in Florida was illegal.
The Daytona Beach News-Journal reported that Lelesi is also expected to face charges but has not been arrested yet. The bones were confiscated by the police and taken to the Volusia County Medical Examiner’s Office for examination and analysis. WOFL reported that the skull fragment and partial skull were likely archaeological finds, while other bone fragments were estimated to be between 100 and 500 years old.
The investigation concluded that Schopper knowingly purchased and listed human bones for sale on Facebook Marketplace and their business website. After a 15-month long investigation, Schopper was charged with the purchase or sale of human tissue, a felony. She was booked into the Volusia County Jail on April 10 and posted a $7,500 bond. Schopper is scheduled to be arraigned on May 1.