ORANGE CITY, FL – Law enforcement officials have brought charges against a Florida curio shop owner accused of illegally selling human remains. Kymberlee Schopper, 52, of Wicked Wonderland in Orange City, faces allegations of trafficking in bones and similar items, which authorities say violates state law.
Schopper, co-owner of the shop noted for its unusual and eerie merchandise, was found to be selling human bone fragments. Investigators revealed that the remains were purportedly labeled as “educational models.” However, it was clear to authorities that these pieces were not legally permissible for sale.
The investigation began in December 2023 after a local resident reported seeing bone fragments advertised on the shop’s Facebook Marketplace listing. This led police to uncover various items described explicitly as human bones, including skull and rib fragments, with price tags reaching up to $600.
Business partner Ashley Lelesi, while speaking to officers, acknowledged the store had been selling human remains, claiming they had been purchased from private sellers. Lelesi mentioned possessing documentation of these transactions but failed to produce them during the interview.
Lelesi, reportedly uncertain of the legality of such sales, cooperated with police. She, like Schopper, was unaware that distributing human remains outside of authorized educational contexts contravenes Florida regulations.
Captain Sherif El-Shami of the Orange City Police clarified that the sale of human remains, regardless of origin, remains illegal in Florida. Authorities seized the contested items, sending them to the Volusia County Medical Examiner’s Office for analysis. Some fragments were identified as ancient, dating back between 100 and 500 years.
A 15-month investigation culminated in the arrest of Schopper, charged with the felony of purchasing or selling human tissue. After being booked into the Volusia County Jail, she posted a $7,500 bond and is slated for arraignment on May 1. Lelesi, also facing potential charges, has not yet been detained.
As the legal process unfolds, authorities emphasize the importance of adhering to laws regarding human remains, underscoring the serious nature of unauthorized sales. The case highlights the peculiar world of curio shops and the legal boundaries that govern them.