A beach maintenance worker made a startling discovery Tuesday morning when a human head washed ashore on the beaches of Key Biscayne, Florida, prompting an extensive investigation by the Miami-Dade Police Department.
The remains were found around 8:30 a.m. behind the Key Colony II Ocean Sound condominiums at 251 Crandon Boulevard, according to Miami-Dade Police Detective Andre Martin. The worker discovered the head while performing routine beach maintenance duties.
Police officials confirmed Thursday that the head belonged to an adult male, though the identity remains unknown. The Miami-Dade Medical Examiner’s Office is working alongside homicide investigators to identify the remains and determine the circumstances surrounding the case.
Law enforcement responded with a significant presence, deploying officers on all-terrain vehicles and a police boat to search the area. “I’ve never seen a situation like this in Key Biscayne before,” said James Harrington, a local resident.
The discovery has rattled the typically peaceful barrier island community of approximately 14,000 residents. Key Biscayne, accessible only by the Rickenbacker Causeway connecting it to Miami and the mainland, is known for its pristine beaches and nature preserves.
Detective Martin stated that investigators are exploring multiple possibilities regarding the origin of the remains. “At this point we’re not discounting any possibility,” Martin said. “This could be an accident or missing person, it’s too early to tell the circumstances.”
The investigation coincides with an ongoing search for a 19-year-old man, Victor Castaneda, who was reported missing Saturday evening after being caught in a rip current in Miami Beach. However, authorities emphasized it is premature to establish any connection between the cases. Miami Beach Police Department continues to investigate Castaneda’s disappearance as a separate missing person case.
Miami-Dade Police handle homicide investigations for Key Biscayne’s smaller police department. The medical examiner maintains custody of the remains as the investigation continues.