SEBASTIAN — Sebastian Police are on scene at a vacant field just north of the Sebastian Cemetery on U.S. 1 following the discovery of bones and other “items of concern.”
Investigators sift through dirt for clues regarding human bone fragments discovered in the vacant field north of the Sebastian Cemetery. Staff photo: Debbie Carson
A person using a metal detector in the field made the discovery Sunday around 6 p.m. and notified authorities. The person was not identified.
The Medical Examiner’s Office was dispatched and determined the bone fragments were that of a human – no other details were provided regarding the bones.
“At this time, we do not have any idea whether the bones are very old, or recent, or a manner of death,” Police Chief Michelle Morris said in a prepared statement. “It will likely take some time before we have any details on what we have. It is not likely that the remains are from the cemetery based on the location of the discovery, even though it is adjacent to the cemetery.”
Police secured the scene and remained posted there through Sunday night into Monday, where members of both the Sebastian Police Department and the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office conducted a search of the field for more clues.
Law enforcement agencies, including the Sebastian Police Department and the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office, secure the vacant field north of the Sebastian Cemetery after human bone fragments were discovered. Staff photo: Debbie Carson
The bones and material do not appear to be fresh and have likely been there for some time. The property belongs to the City of Sebastian and is under construction for expanding the cemetery grounds. A contractor has been working the site until the discovery to remove dirt and prepare the location.
Anyone with information on the identity of this subject is asked to contact Detective Todd Finnegan at 772-589-5233 ext 8521 or call Treasure Coast Crime Stoppers at (800) 273-8477. You can receive cash for crime tips and remain completely anonymous.