A beach worker in Florida made a disturbing discovery early Tuesday morning, finding a human head while raking the sand on Key Biscayne, a popular tourist beach. The gruesome find has prompted a large-scale investigation by local law enforcement.
Worker alerts police after grisly discovery
The incident unfolded at around 8:30 AM when a beach employee, performing routine maintenance, noticed the human remains. The worker immediately called 911, setting off a swift response from authorities.
The Miami-Dade Police Department confirmed that the remains were indeed human. The area was quickly cordoned off with police tape and traffic cones as homicide detectives took charge of the case.
Investigation underway to identify the victim
Police and the local medical examiner’s office are now working together to determine the identity of the deceased. In a statement to NBC Miami, a police spokesperson said: “Detectives are on scene and are working with the medical examiner to determine the identity of the individual.”
The unidentified head was covered by authorities to prevent public exposure, adding a somber tone to the already shocking scene.
Shock and disbelief from the local community
The discovery has left residents and tourists alike in disbelief. Local resident Bahman Amini shared his shock with CBS News, saying: “You see all kinds of things here but nothing like this, like we saw this morning. The head of a person.”
Another nearby resident, speaking to WPLG, expressed concern for the safety of the community: “This is my typical route. Our neighborhood is very safe. We have our children here; our children play on these beaches, and it’s just beyond belief.”
A beachgoer who was unaware of the situation initially was redirected by a police officer. She told NBC10: “He signaled with his finger that I needed to turn around immediately. I understood the assignment,” adding that the discovery was “quite disturbing.”
Tourists express fear and concern
Alex Portuondo, a former South Beach resident now living in Denver, expressed his unease: “That’s pretty scary and crazy. I have never heard of anything like this happening before on this kind of beach. I guess I am curious if they have any information on where it came from, if anything else has been found, if it happened here on the island or washed up on the shore.”
New York City tourist Kristy Sippel echoed the sentiments, telling CBS News: “It is scary. I would like to know what happened.”
Miami local Mollie McAuliffe also voiced her concerns: “I have questions about where it came from, where the remains came from. It is pretty upsetting.”
Authorities urge the public to stay away from the area
The Miami-Dade Police Department has urged the public to avoid the cordoned-off section of the beach while the investigation is ongoing. Further details about the identity of the victim or any additional remains have yet to be released. Authorities are expected to provide an update as the investigation progresses.