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What if the skull on your shelf wasn’t just a replica?
What if someone was selling real human bones online—legally or not?
And what if it was happening on Facebook Marketplace, right under everyone’s nose?
That’s exactly what shocked both authorities and the public when a 52-year-old Florida woman, Kimberly Kupper, was arrested for allegedly selling actual human remains through her curio shop and social media. From rib bones to partial skulls priced as high as $600, the story quickly grabbed national headlines—not just because of its bizarre nature, but because it raised serious legal and ethical questions no one was ready to answer.
Let’s explore the unsettling case that’s blurring the line between curiosity and crime.
2. Who is the Accused?
Name: Kimberly Kupper
Age: 52
Residence: Deltona, Florida
Kimberly Kupper helps run a store called Wicked Wonderland Curiosities with her daughter, which specialized in odd and rare items. The store gained traction with people who liked weird and antiquities. Unfortunately, in August 2022, investigators found human bones, and Wicked Wonderland Curiosities’ connection to the sale of human remains sparked ethical, legal, and personal questions.
3. What Was She Allegedly Selling?
Kimberly Kupper was allegedly selling various human remains through her store and Facebook Marketplace. Among the items listed were:
- Human skull fragments – $90
- Collarbone, scapula, vertebrae, ribs – $35 to $90
- Partial human skull – $600
The items were advertised as “educational specimens” or “noteworthy medical curiosities” and led to the belief it was meant for furthering educational or scholarly purposes. However, investigations later concluded these were human remains, raising significant concerns over their provenance and legitimacy.
4. How Did Authorities Find Out?
In December 2023, the Daytona Beach Police received a tip regarding Kimberly Kupper’s activities. Concerned about the suspicious nature of the items being sold online, authorities began an undercover investigation to obtain more information.
Through investigative analysis, the police confirmed that the bones being sold online were not replicas, but real human remains. The investigation uncovered that some of the bones could potentially be archaeological and within a range of 100 to 500 years old. This discovery raised more questions about the legality of selling human remains, and where the remains came from.
5. Legal Charges and Arrest
Kimberly Kupper was arrested on April 10, 2025, in connection with the illegal sale of human remains. She was charged with the unlawful transaction of human tissue, a serious offense that could result in severe penalties if convicted.
Following her arrest, she was released the next day on a $7,500 bond. However, the case is still ongoing, with authorities continuing to investigate the source of the remains and whether there may be additional victims or illegal transactions involved. Further forensic analysis has also been ordered to examine the remains more closely and determine their exact origin.
6. What Is ‘Wicked Wonderland’?
Wicked Wonderland Curiosities was a curio shop highlighting unusual and odd collectibles. The shop developed a following for its unique inventory of oddities, which included rare, and sometimes morbid, items. This attracted all types of collectors.
The shop was run by Kimberly Kupper and her daughter, selling their products both in-store and online through a website and Facebook Marketplace, which vastly increased the consumer pool. The products were marketed as “educational specimens” or “medical curiosities,” claiming everything was legally obtained and was intended for academic or personal usage purposes.
The items being sold have raised suspicions against Wicked Wonderland Curiosities, especially when it was discovered that some of the objects sold were actual human remains.
7. Legal and Ethical Questions Raised
The arrest of Kimberly Kupper has brought to light several pressing legal and ethical concerns regarding the sale of human remains:
1. Is it legal to sell human remains in Florida?
In Florida, it is generally prohibited to sell human remains. Florida Statutes § 873.01 states, “No person shall knowingly offer to purchase or sell, or shall purchase, sell or otherwise transfer any human organ or tissue for valuable consideration.” Florida Statutes § 406.61 prohibits any person from selling, buying or conveying human remains outside of Florida, with certain limited exceptions for educational or scientific purposes, with prior approval by the anatomical board. These statutes seek to regulate the use and transfer of human remains to impose ethical and legal controls on the transfer of human remains.
2. What are the federal laws on this matter?
There is no blanket prohibition on the transfer or possession of human remains at the federal level. NAGPRA or the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act does require repatriation of Native American human remains and cultural items, but it does not apply to human remains in general. And without the needed federal regulation, we end up with a series of state laws and approaches to human remains and treatment of human remains.
3. Importance of verifying the source of such items: museum pieces? grave robbing?
The authenticity and provenance of human remains have major implications for their legal and ethical status. Anything that is described as an “educational specimen” or “medical curiosity” must be accompanied by reliable documentation to demonstrate legal acquisition. In the absence of documentation, the suspicion of illegal excavations or human remains trafficking arises, with ethical and legal consequences.
In Kimberly Kupper’s case, even law enforcement determined that some of her remains were probably archaeological, probably greater than 100 years old, and connoted “potential historical significance” with the analysis indicating the need for stringent provenance checking.
8. Public and Expert Reactions
The case rapidly captured the imagination online, generating a mix of outrage, shock, and curious engagement across multiple social media platforms. Many users were appalled by the idea of someone openly selling real human remains on Facebook Marketplace, while other users were fascinated, shocked, and amused by this strange and disturbing story.
Experts Weigh In
Forensic experts and forensic anthropologists have expressed serious concerns about where the bones came from. Some have expressed concern about whether the remains were completely taken from archaeological sites or taken from medical collections with full knowledge of the contents. Each transaction has the potential, in the absence of documentation or provenance, to cross the border from legal to unlawful.
The Ethical Dilemma
Similarly, the case has once again sparked discussions about the morality of selling human remains. While some say that these specimens can have educational value, particularly for medical students or historians, others feel this is tantamount to exploitation, particularly if the people never consented to have their remains sold or displayed.
9. Current Status of the Investigation
The investigation into Kimberly Kupper’s case is still ongoing, with authorities continuing to dig deeper into the origin and legality of the human remains she allegedly sold.
Ongoing Forensic Analysis
All seized remains have been transferred to the Volusia County Medical Examiner’s Office, where forensic experts are conducting detailed testing to determine the age, origin, and authenticity of the bones.
Potential Federal Involvement
Depending on the results, and if the remains were transported across state lines, it could move into federal investigations for human trafficking of remains. They’re also looking if any of the items were tied to missing persons, grave robbing, or black-market sales.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q1. Is it legal to sell human bones in the U.S.?
- It depends on the state. Some states allow it under strict regulations, especially for educational or medical use. However, Florida has specific laws prohibiting the sale of human remains without proper documentation or authorization.
Q2. Were the remains used for scientific or medical purposes?
- That’s what the accused, Kimberly Kupper, claimed. She marketed the bones as “educational specimens”—but forensic analysis revealed that some remains might be archaeological in nature, raising serious doubts about their intended use.
Q3. Where did she get the bones from?
- As of now, it’s still unclear. Investigators are working to trace the origin of the remains, which could help determine whether any laws regarding grave robbing or illegal trade were broken.
Q4. What is the maximum penalty for selling human remains illegally?
- Penalties vary by state and the level of federal involvement. They can include hefty fines, felony charges, and significant prison time, especially if trafficking or cross-border trade is involved.
Q5. Is Facebook liable for this kind of listing?
- Facebook’s policies prohibit the sale of human body parts on its Marketplace. However, no direct action has been taken against the platform in this specific case—at least not yet. The case raises broader concerns about monitoring illegal sales on social platforms.
Conclusion
The case of Kimberly Kupper is raising substantial conversation across the nation about the ethical and legalities of selling human remains online. As the investigation unfolds, this is illuminating some disturbing gray areas in both state and federal law. It shows that not all disturbing things we see online are completely benign — some could have serious legal and ethical implications.
Be aware and ask questions surrounding the source –report any suspicious happening — as curiosity should never come at the expense of humanity.
