Two Women Arrested For Trading Human Remains On Facebook For Years

Online marketplaces have become the go-to spot for everything from vintage clothes to homemade crafts. However, every so often, they host listings that leave you doing a double-take. Case in point: Two women in Florida were recently arrested after police say they were quietly offering human remains for sale online.

It all started when officers with the Orange City Police Department caught wind of a shop called Wicked Wonderland, run by Kymberlee Schopper, 52, and her daughter Ashley Lelesi, 33. According to authorities, the duo used Facebook Marketplace to advertise a range of “products” that went far beyond the usual antiques and Gothic trinkets one might expect.

Reflecting on the case, Captain Sherif El-Shami told reporters he hadn’t seen anything this stomach-wrenching “in 17 years.” Investigators say their probe actually began back in 2023, after an anonymous tip flagged the store for “attempting to sell human bones.”

That tip sparked months of undercover work and evidence gathering. On their page, the mother-and-daughter team billed themselves as anatomy buffs with medical backgrounds.

NBC News quoted a statement describing their profile: “Having both come from a medical background, we have a passion for sharing our knowledge and expertise in the preservation and exploration of anatomy and pathology of all organic beings.”

The two insist their offerings are delightfully macabre.

Once police got a closer look at the listings, they were stunned by the details. The ads allegedly offered various body parts, everything from skull fragments to vertebrae, with prices ranging from about $35 to $600.

Some bones turned out to be archaeological specimens, but others were confirmed as real human remains, which crossed the legal line. This was enough for Schopper to trigger her initial arrest when officers swooped in.

During the raid this week, detectives seized a gruesome assortment of items: two skull fragments priced together at $90, a human clavicle and scapula for another $90, a rib going for $35, vertebrae also at $35, and a partial skull listed at the $600 tier. Both Schopper and Lelesi now face charges for the purchase or sale of human organs and tissue.

Facebook

Lelesi’s exact whereabouts at the time of the arrests remain a bit murky. It’s unclear whether she was detained on the spot or picked up later.

When questioned, she allegedly insisted she didn’t realize selling human remains was illegal. “We’ve been doing this for several years,” she told police, claiming all her specimens came from private sellers and that she even had documentation, though she couldn’t produce it on demand.

The arrest affidavit quotes her describing the bones as “genuine human remains and delicate in nature.” That admission, coupled with the hard evidence collected, has prosecutors moving forward with serious charges.

The recent arrest of two women in Florida for trading human remains on Facebook exposes a chilling intersection of online commerce and morality. This case raises profound questions about the psychological state of individuals who engage in such grotesque transactions. It appears that the desensitization to violence and a disturbing lack of empathy are becoming more prevalent in our society, particularly in online spaces where anonymity can embolden harmful behaviors.

Understanding the motivations behind these actions is crucial for law enforcement and mental health professionals. The implications of such behavior extend beyond the criminal acts themselves, suggesting deeper societal issues that must be addressed. Community awareness and proactive education become essential tools in combating these trends. By fostering an environment of vigilance and understanding, we can hope to deter individuals from pursuing such dark paths in the first place.

"Mother, daughter arrested for allegedly selling human bones on Facebook "

They showcase their products on Facebook.

Meanwhile, the store’s Facebook page went silent—almost. An update appeared saying, “Wicked Wonderland is temporarily closed due to dedicating our time to caring for a beloved family member in their final moments. Absolutely nothing more.”

Even after Schopper’s bail was set at $7,500 and she walked out of Volusia County Jail, the message hinted at confusion and misinformation swirling around the case: “While there may be a whirlwind of misleading information and horrendous assumptions and opinions, we’re choosing to focus on what we always have: life, love, death, and family.”

WESH 2 News

Schopper has posted bond, but Lelesi’s position is still unclear; she could be sitting in a cell or already working with a lawyer. For now, Orange City Police haven’t shared anything beyond the basics.

This shows how quickly an online curiosity can skid into illegal territory. A shop once known for spooky décor is now the focus of a criminal probe, proof that it pays to think twice before hitting “Buy Now.”

The alarming case of two women in Florida arrested for trading human remains on Facebook raises serious concerns about the responsibilities of social media platforms in regulating content. While online marketplaces are often seen as convenient spaces for buying and selling various items, this incident underscores a darker side that requires immediate attention. The need for platforms like Facebook to enhance their monitoring processes is more crucial than ever. Public safety must take precedence over the notion of free speech, particularly when it comes to sensitive and disturbing subjects like human remains.

There is a clear call for improved reporting mechanisms and the integration of AI-driven content moderation tools to identify and prevent illegal activities. Moreover, the incident highlights the necessity for greater user education regarding the ethical implications of online transactions. Social media platforms should actively promote a culture of accountability among their users to deter such heinous practices in the future.

The unsettling case of two Florida women arrested for trading human remains on Facebook underscores a disturbing trend in online marketplaces. This incident reveals not only the ethical dilemmas surrounding the sale of such items but also the psychological factors that may drive individuals to engage in these morbid transactions. It is imperative for law enforcement, mental health professionals, and social media platforms to collaborate effectively to deter similar occurrences in the future.

Raising awareness and establishing stringent ethical standards in digital commerce are vital steps toward ensuring a safer online environment. This shocking event serves as a stark reminder of the need for vigilance and education to combat the more sinister elements lurking within online marketplaces.