ORANGE CITY, FL – A Florida woman faces charges for allegedly selling human remains through her Orange City curio shop amid claims that they were educational materials.
Kymberlee Schopper, 52, co-owner of Wicked Wonderland, is accused of conducting illegal sales of human bones at the store known for its peculiar and eerie merchandise. Law enforcement officials have charged Schopper with the felony of purchasing or selling human tissue following a 15-month investigation.
Authorities were alerted to the situation when a local resident discovered bone fragments listed for sale on the store’s Facebook Marketplace page in December 2023. An investigation revealed several items, including fragments of human skulls, clavicles, ribs, and a partial skull, with prices ranging from $35 to $600.
Schopper’s business partner, Ashley Lelesi, admitted to police that the shop had been selling human bones for years, all acquired from private sellers. Although Lelesi claimed to possess documentation for these transactions, she failed to provide evidence to officers at the time. She acknowledged the bones as genuine human remains but indicated she was unaware of the illegality of selling such items.
During police questioning, Schopper insisted the bones were educational models, which she believed were permissible for sale under state law. However, authorities clarified that selling human remains is illegal in Florida regardless of the context or point of purchase.
Law enforcement officers confiscated the bones, subsequently delivering them to the Volusia County Medical Examiner’s Office for examination. Analysis suggested the skull fragments were archaeological finds, with other bones potentially dating back several centuries.
The charges against Schopper culminated from the extensive investigation into the shop’s offerings. She was taken into custody in April and released under a $7,500 bond pending her May 1 arraignment. Meanwhile, Lelesi may also face legal repercussions, though she has not yet been arrested.
The case highlights ongoing concerns surrounding the sale of human remains as it continues to attract scrutiny from both legal authorities and the public.