A truly disturbingly unexpected case has come out of Orange City, Florida. Wicked Wonderland, a local business on the island, was recently accused of offering human remains for sale through the internet. The business operating at 2461 N. Volusia Ave. reportedly promoted the sale of various human bones on its Facebook page. This atypical movement raised the suspicion of law enforcement.
Here’s what those investigators found, and why Wicked Wonderland is so dangerous. They were shocked to discover that the website was offering human skull fragments for $90 a piece, and a bundle of one human clavicle and scapula for that same low price. The company advertised human ribs and vertebrae for $35 each. They advertised for sale a partial human skull for $600. Adding up the value of the human bones available for sale at Wicked Wonderland came to nearly $850.
Investigation and Arrests
The inquiry into Wicked Wonderland started after Orange City police first visited the business back in December 2023. Following the initial complaint, officials learned that the store had been in operation for about three years. They claimed they didn’t know that selling human remains was illegal.
Kymberlee Schopper, owner of Wicked Wonderland, was arrested on April 10, 2024. Now her business partner, Ashley Lelesi, is being charged with arrest following the charges that have been filed against her. Human bones sold by Wicked Wonderland have since been sent to the Volusia County Medical Examiner’s Office. There, internationally renowned experts will subject them to rigorous scrutiny.
“Based on my investigation, it was determined that Schopper knowingly purchased and listed human bones for sale through Facebook Marketplace and their business website.” – Investigators
The extremely troubling circumstances of this case have understandably resulted in an outpouring of concern and alarm from the public. Orange City Police Captain Sherif El-Shami told WFTV that the find was unusual and disturbing.
“It’s not everyday that you find real human bones online.” – Orange City Police Capt. Sherif El-Shami
Business Closure and Community Reaction
After word of the allegations began to circulate, Wicked Wonderland quickly began contacting clients to cancel appointments and posted a message on Facebook announcing its temporary closure. The message said that they would be closing their store. It further explained that weekend hours might differ from regular hours beginning Friday morning. This decision comes amid active legal action and an attempt to curb the dangerous allegations that have followed the company.
Local residents took to social media to share their shock and disbelief at the scandal which rocked Wicked Wonderland. Residents in Orange City have expressed their concerns about the potential sale of human remains. They underscore the grave ethical implications and legal ramifications that accompany such activity. The incident has sparked discussions about the regulations surrounding the sale of human remains and what constitutes appropriate practices in businesses.
Legal Implications and Future Proceedings
The charges against Kymberlee Schopper and Ashley Lelesi highlight important issues regarding legal versus ethical expectations for retail business practices. Investigators are busy collecting evidence. It is unclear how long Wicked Wonderland operated this way before coming to the conclusion that what they were doing might be illegal.
The Volusia County Medical Examiner’s Office is expected to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the human bones collected from Wicked Wonderland. The results of their work promise to be crucial in determining legal action against Schopper and Lelesi.
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