Skeletal Remains Discovered Within Babcock Ranch Curry Creek Wildlife Preserve In Punta Gorda; Remains Show Signs Of Prolonged Exposure

UPDATE JUNE 8, 2022, 2:22 PM: Skeletal Remains Discovered Within Babcock Ranch Curry Creek Wildlife Preserve Identified As Missing North Fort Myers Man https://publishedreporter.com/2022/06/08/skeletal-remains-discovered-within-babcock-ranch-curry-creek-wildlife-preserve-identified-as-missing-north-fort-myers-man/

PUNTA GORDA, FL – Human skeletal remains were discovered on the east side of the Curry Creek Wildlife Preserve in Babcock Ranch. Identification has not been made. According to authorities, just after 10 a.m. dispatch received a call from the Babcock Ranch Community Patrol advising that a land development company had discovered skeletal remains while maintaining the preserve area on the east side of the community.

Charlotte County Sheriff’s Major Crimes, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Forensics Unit are currently on scene to collect and preserve the evidence. No identification of the remains has been made at this time as the investigation is in the preliminary stages. However, authorities can confirm the remains show signs of prolonged exposure to the elements.

The investigation is ongoing.

UPDATE MAY 9, 2022, 9:47 AM: Detectives are working to identify the remains through collaborative efforts with the Medical Examiner and utilizing dental records. It is common for this process to take weeks or even months for positive identification. As soon as a positive identification is made and next of kin is notified, the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office will release an update.