Florida woman arrested for selling human remains on Facebook market

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A Florida woman faces criminal charges after police say she is passing through business and Facebook markets to buy and sell bones. Kymberlee Schopper, 52, of Volusia County, was arrested Thursday and charged with buying or selling human organs and tissues. She owns Wicked Wonderland, a Curio Shop in Orange City, known for providing conservation services, Gothic antiques and anomalous art. The Orange City Police Department began investigating the store in 2023 after receiving a prompt that the store’s Facebook page was advertised as a human remains. According to an arrest affidavit, officers found multiple listings showing skull fragments, bones, and other human parts for sale with a total value of $850.The items included two human skull fragments for $90, a human clavicle and scapula for $90, a human rib for $35, a human vertebrae for $35, and a partial human skull listed for $600.Police interviewed Ashley Lelesi, 33, Wicked Wonderland's co-owner told investigators that the store had sold bones for several years and said she didn't know it was illegal in Florida. The bones are real and purchased from private sellers, she said. Lelesi claims to have documentation, but cannot provide the documentation during the interview. With Lelesi's consent, Officers collected five bone fragments from the store. She said one of the skull fragments has been sold for $50. When Schopper and Lelesi met with police again, Schopper claimed the bones were educational models and were legally sold in Florida. However, the affidavit states that both women were upset when told that the remains could not return because they are now part of the investigation. WickedWonderland's website describes the store as “a team of mother-daughters reveling in strange and unusual; dark and terrifying”. The website also claims that both women have medical backgrounds and are passionate about exploring anatomy and pathology. The bone fragments were sent to Dr. Jonathan Besard of the University of South Florida Forensic Anthropology and Biological Testing Laboratory. Tests show that the remains may have come from two different people, one of which dates back hundreds of years. Cyppe was released from Volucia County Jail on Friday with a $7,500 bond. Her arraignment is scheduled to take place on May 1. It is not clear whether she retained the attorney. Lelesi was also charged, but her custody status has not been confirmed. The case is still under investigation.

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