Human remains found in Collier County

NAPLES, Fla.- Investigators say human remains found near the Everglades over the weekend belong to a female.

Hikers discovered the remains in the Picayune Strand State Forest around 2 p.m. Saturday. A human skull was discovered in standing water in a wooded area near the intersection of 126 Avenue Southeast and Miller Boulevard. An 8-inch bone and a section of vertebrae were also found near the roadside.

Authorities say the skull was left there as recent as four days ago.

“Very scary. Anything can happen back here I guess,” said Jennie McElhaney, who works as a security guard in the area. “This would be a good spot if you didn’t want nobody to find the remains.”

A preliminary examination by the medical examiner’s office determined that the remains are from a female over the age of 30 who had extensive dental work, according to detectives. She also had a previous broken collar bone that had healed. Detectives say she also had red polish on her fingernails.

Collier County detectives say it’s not clear whether foul play is involved. A cause of death has not yet been determined.

If you have any information, call the sheriff’s office at 239-252-9300, or if you wish to remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477).