A human head that washed ashore on a Key Biscayne beach earlier this month has been identified as belonging to 19-year-old Victor E. Castaneda Jr. of Miami.
Castaneda went missing on November 9th while swimming with his 17-year-old sister, Hailey Clements, off South Pointe Beach in Miami Beach. Clements was rescued by bystanders, but Castaneda disappeared into the ocean.
The gruesome discovery was made on November 12th by a person raking the beach in Key Biscayne. The Miami-Dade County Medical Examiner’s Department used dental records to identify the remains as Castaneda.
READ: Second Body Found Off Courtney Campbell Causeway, Tampa Police Investigating Possible Connection
The cause and manner of Castaneda’s death are still under investigation pending autopsy results. However, initial reports suggest that he and his sister were struggling in the water before he vanished.
The investigation into the circumstances surrounding Castaneda’s disappearance and death remains ongoing.
Previous Report: A disturbing discovery was made on Tuesday morning when a human head was found washed up on the shores of Key Biscayne.
According to CBS News, a beachgoer made the discovery around 8:30 a.m. near the Key Colony area. Local authorities, including the Miami-Dade Police Department, are investigating the incident.
The Medical Examiner’s Office will conduct an examination to determine the gender, age, and potential cause of death. Homicide detectives are also involved in the investigation.
READ: Georgia Inmates And Detention Officer Indicted For Plotting To Murder Jail Staff
The discovery has shocked local residents and tourists alike, raising questions about the incident’s circumstances.
“That’s pretty scary and crazy,” Alex Portuondo of Colorado told CBS. “I have never heard of anything like this happening before on this kind of beach. I guess I am curious if they have any information on where it came from, if anything else has been found, if it happened here on the island or washed up on the shore. I guess I assume it might have happened someplace else and washed up here but I do worry because of this.”
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Android Users: Download our free app to stay up-to-date on the latest news.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.