A manager told two workers who were clearing brush to refrain from working in the area where they found skeletal remains suspected to be involved in a hanging.
A group of workers who were clearing brush in a wooded area near the back of Sugden Community Park, in East Naples, on May 21 reported they found a human skull on the ground and a length of rope hung from a tree branch.
“My crew just found skeletal remains in the woods,” the on-site project manager told a dispatcher. “I just went in there, confirmed.”
When the dispatcher asked, the caller said the remains were “100%” human.
“There’s a rope by the tree right by the skeleton,” the caller said.
According to an incident report, Collier County authorities just after 2 p.m., May 21, responded to Sugden Community Park.
When the deputy approached the area, between 40 and 50 feet into the tree line, he saw what appeared to be a human skull on the ground.
Near the skull, the deputy wrote in his report, he saw a length of rope hung from a tree branch. The rope appeared to have a noose tied at the lower end near the skull.
On scene, authorities also found a backpack, but the details of what it carried remain redacted in the report.
About the park
Sugden Community Park, also known as Sugden Regional Park, is a 60-acre waterfront destination in East Naples featuring one of Collier County’s only freshwater beaches. Located just a short drive from Lely Resort, it offers trails, a playground, water skiing, sailing and paddleboat rentals.
Tomas Rodriguez is a Breaking/Live News Reporter for the Naples Daily News and The News-Press. You can reach Tomas at TRodriguez@usatodayco.com or 772-333-5501. Connect with him on Threads @tomasfrobeltran, Instagram @tomasfrobeltran, Facebook @tomasrodrigueznews and Bluesky @tomasfrodriguez.
This article originally appeared on Marco Eagle: ‘There’s a rope by the tree’ – Two workers found skull in East Naples
Reporting by Tomas Rodriguez, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Marco Eagle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
