Skeletal remains in Lehigh Acres believed historically relevant
Braving 8-foot alligators and the dark depths of a small Lehigh Acres lake, divers recovered skeletal remains last week could be the second finding in the county in less than two months of “historically significant” remains.
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office said in a release, recreational divers discovered skeletal remains Thursday in a lake on Oakridge Circle, near Joel Boulevard, in Lehigh Acres.
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit and dive team responded.
The sheriff’s office said assets and technology such as its marine unit, underwater drones and forensic technicians assisted in the investigation.
The investigation has been complicated, the sheriff’s office said, with the depth of the lake pushing their dive team nearly 200 below the surface to scour the bottom with limited visibility, and 8-foot-long alligators requiring deputies to stand with rifles ready protecting divers.
The sheriff’s office said its on-scene initial assessment is that the skeletal remains could be historically significant.
A video posted by the sheriff’s office on Friday shows authorities scanning the lake for signs of the remains beneath the surface of the water. The remains appear to be covered in a green growth.
At least three churches, in addition to the Lehigh Resort Club, are near the area where authorities say the remains were found.
Authorities said the investigation will take some time, citing “great care” that is being given for any possible evidence or historical artifacts.
The sheriff’s office said it’s working with the District 21 Medical Examiner’s Office to facilitate further testing and examinations as the investigation continues.
Skull recovered in North Fort Myers
If confirmed, Lehigh Acres’ sighting would be the second instance in about a month historically relevant remains are recovered in Lee County.
A skull found Nov. 4 at a North Fort Myers thrift shop is believed to belong to a Native American, an incident report revealed.
Around 11:25 Nov. 4, Lee County deputies responded to the Antique Mall, 13871 N. Cleveland Ave., regarding possible human remains up for sale.
The caller, a Sarasota anthropologist, said the skull belonged to a Native
American.
On scene, authorities spoke with the store manager and owner, who told authorities she had placed the skull up for Halloween. It was valued at $400, according to the report.
The store manager told authorities the skull was found in a storage locker cleared about a year ago, the report indicates. She further told authorities she was unaware it belonged to the Native American community.
The skull was found in a storage locker at 13701 Indian Paint Ln.
Tomas Rodriguez is a Breaking/Live News Reporter for the Naples Daily News and The News-Press. You can reach Tomas at TRodriguez@gannett.com or 772-333-5501. Connect with him on Threads @tomasfrobeltran, Instagram @tomasfrobeltran and Facebook @tomasrodrigueznews.