Mystery: Palm Bay detectives investigate human bones found in overgrown lot at Compound

J.D. Gallop, Florida Today
Updated ·2 min read

PALM BAY — Human remains were discovered in The Compound over the weekend, the fifth body to be recovered from the abandoned wildlands in the southwest section of the city in less than a year.

The sun-bleached skeletonized remains — which appear to be months old — were found about 6:15 p.m. Saturday in the tall grass near the intersection of Cormorant Avenue and Absher Way. That is in an area known as The Compound, an overgrown, vacant 12-square-mile plot of land in southwest Palm Bay frequently used by off-roaders and urban explorers.

The area, originally the planned site of an abandoned housing development, was cordoned off by Palm Bay police as forensic agents and detectives combed over the scene. The bones, along with the soil around them and other unidentified components found at the scene, were to be turned over to the Brevard medical examiner's office in Rockledge for further examination.

The compound is located in the southwestern area of Palm Bay and is an undeveloped area of 12.2 square miles made up of palmettos, pepper trees, wax myrtles and a crisscross of roads.
The compound is located in the southwestern area of Palm Bay and is an undeveloped area of 12.2 square miles made up of palmettos, pepper trees, wax myrtles and a crisscross of roads.

Investigators worked Sunday to identify the remains and pinpoint a cause of death, including whether it could be potentially a medical issue, homicide or suicide before reviewing missing persons reports or other cold cases from the area. The heavily overgrown area is also home to large animals, from deer to hogs, that run free, including some that may have displaced the remains, police point out in such cases.

More: In Palm Bay, south Brevard, worry over crime is up following deadly carjacking, shootings

The Compound has a history of being a dumping ground and cover for criminal activity, from drug use to homicide. In recent months, the area has been the subject of protests and City Council discussions after the bodies of four people were located there in three unrelated homicide cases.

More: Two arrested in shooting death of Palm Bay man whose body was left at 'The Compound'

In December 2022, two teens — a 14-year-old and 16-year-old — were shot to death in The Compound by an unidentified assailant on Christmas, Palm Bay detectives said. No arrests have been made in that case. In March, the burned, dismembered remains of a missing 44-year-old Indian Harbour Beach woman were found. An arrest was made in that case.

In recent months, four bodies were found in The Compound in three unrelated homicides. Here, yellow crime scene tape marks off an area near the intersection of Angora Street Southwest and Camilo Circle.
In recent months, four bodies were found in The Compound in three unrelated homicides. Here, yellow crime scene tape marks off an area near the intersection of Angora Street Southwest and Camilo Circle.

In September, police found the body of a 30-year-old man in the Compound. Two people were arrested in the case and charged in the homicide.

If proven to be a homicide, the case would be the fifth to be linked to the Compound in less than a year and the 39th reported to take place in Brevard this year.

J.D. Gallop is a criminal justice/breaking news reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Gallop at 321-917-4641 or jgallop@floridatoday.com. X/Twitter: @JDGallop.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Mystery: Palm Bay detectives investigate bones found at Compound