Skull discovered in Cape Coral canal, forensic testing underway

A skull has been found in a canal in Southwest Florida’s largest city, leading to an investigation and testing.

According to the Cape Coral Police Department, a skull was found in the Cape Coral canal near 19th Ave and Kismet Parkway, on Wednesday.

Antony Bui spends a lot of time fishing in the canal behind his house. That may be why he was startled when WINK News told him a skull, possibly belonging to a human, was found the canal on Wednesday.

WINK News poke to one woman off camera who said her son found the skull while fishing in his kayak.

Sara Ayers-Rigsby, a director for the Florida Public Archaeology Network, said one of the first steps will be to determine how old the skull is.

“It’s really important to figure out if it is associated with a potentially modern missing persons case,” said Ayers-Rigsby. “Or if it’s something that’s potentially older, then the state archaeologist is the person that is responsible here in Florida for working with tribes and other descendant communities.”

Since the skull was found underwater, Ayers says it’s possible it could be old.

“Water or anything that has a high water content, so really wet, like mud, anything like that could potentially preserve something for a long time because it’s an anaerobic environment,” said Ayers-Rigsby.

Wherever the skull came from, Bui said he’s hopeful nothing else will come with it.

“I hope this is one and only,” said Bui.

The Medical Examiner has taken the skull and is waiting on the results of the forensic testing, according to police.

Stay tuned to WINKNews.com, WINK News App, streaming, and on-air for any new developments on this story.