CAPE CORAL, Fla. — Residents near Kismet Parkway and Northeast 19th Avenue saw Cape Coral Police Department and Lee County Sheriff's Office personnel working for hours Tuesday at a vacant lot as crews excavated and sifted through sand and dirt as part of an active investigation.
What changed for residents
Investigators from both agencies used excavators to remove trees and dig into the site. Multiple Lee County Sheriff's Office crime scene and forensic units were present. At one point, crews collected an unidentified object and placed it in a red biohazard bag, according to on-scene observations.
- Location: lot off Kismet Parkway near Northeast 19th Avenue
- Agencies on scene: Cape Coral Police Department (CCPD) and Lee County Sheriff's Office (LCSO)
- Actions observed: excavation, sifting through dirt, collection of an object into a red biohazard bag
Timeline and eyewitness accounts
Gulf Coast News observed investigators clearing the scene at about 3:50 p.m. Neighbors reported seeing law-enforcement presence the day before.
"I seen them all standing on the bridge and I've seen them standing on the edge of the canal, looking into the canal for long periods of time. I haven't seen any scuba teams or anybody like that, or any wetsuits or anything,"
said resident Chris Smith. Another neighbor, Terri Knapp, described seeing deputies walking around the canal and a woman taking photographs.
Agency statements and next steps
CCPD confirmed it is working on an ongoing investigation in the area with assistance from LCSO. Beyond that confirmation, agencies on scene have not released additional information about the nature of the probe or the item collected.
| Observed detail | What happened |
|---|---|
| Excavation | Excavators removed trees and crews dug into sand/dirt |
| Forensic presence | Multiple LCSO crime scene and forensic units present |
| Evidence handling | Unidentified object placed in red biohazard bag |
| Scene clearance time | About 3:50 p.m., observers reported |
News Block will update Cape Coral readers as officials provide further details. Residents with information about activity near Kismet Parkway and Northeast 19th Avenue are encouraged to contact the Cape Coral Police Department or the Lee County Sheriff's Office.
