Update On Human Remains Found Near Anthony Family Home

December 11, 2008

Investigation Discovery has obtained more details about the discovery of a child's skeletal remains that were found today, approximately three-tenths of a mile from the home of Casey Anthony, mother of missing two-year-old, Caylee Anthony.

The remains were found early this morning by an Orange County water meter reader who had stepped into the weeds to relieve himself by Chickasaw Trail and Suburban Drive in Orlando. While standing there, the worker observed a plastic trash bag. When he kicked the bag to see what was in it, a small child's skull fell out onto the ground in front of him. The worker immediately notified police and the area was cordoned off as a crime scene.

Sources close to the investigation say that remnants of duct tape were found on both the skull and the trash bag. Those items are now being compared to tape and bags that had previously been collected from the car Casey Anthony was driving at the time of her daughter's disappearance.

According to the sheriff's department, they are expediting DNA tests to confirm whether the remains are that of Caylee Anthony.

Tim Miller, founder and director of Texas EquuSearch, said that he is in agreement with other sources close to the investigation that have told Investigation Discovery that they believe the remains are Caylee.

"My prayers go out to the family of the deceased child," Miller told Investigation Discovery. "I hope they can now come to peace and begin to put back together the pieces of their shattered lives."

Casey Anthony's parents, George and Cindy Anthony, are currently on their way to Orlando, from California, where they made an appearance on Larry King Live last night. It is unknown if they are aware of these most recent developments.

Keep checking back for more details on this breaking development.

Discuss The Caylee Anthony Case

Full Coverage : Casey Anthony Case

Photo Credits: Associated Press

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Comments

[Buzz]

I feel like I've been gut kicked for the second time this week. The first time was when word was released that Tim Miller was in the hospital. I'm am praying so hard that this is Caylee so that she can finally have a proper funeral.

[Amy]

Thank you so much for the updates. It's with a mixed heart that I find myself praying that this is Caylee. The evidence indicates that she is dead, and assuming she is dead, the best thing that can be done for her and for her family is to have her little body found and properly buried. My thoughts and prayers are with the family. I can't imagine what they must be going through.

[Jen]

Incredible discovery. I hope now the grandparents will be at peace and Casey goes away for a very, very long time.

[Kim]

I am so upset. Why? I wanted her found, but I can't stomach this.

Will they say she is being framed? I think the bag, the duct tape and other evidence in the bag will point to Casey without a doubt.

[Hattie Kate]

She will obviously say that the "nanny" killed Caylee because she went to the police and media. She will say if her mom hadn't made her call the police she could have found Caylee herself. Casey will continue to lie until her dying breath. Can the prosecutors change their decision and seek the death penalty now that a body has been found?

[skylonda]

Kaia, mother earth, spread her wings to reveal Caylee’s small body. Mother earth guarded the small one close to her beating heart and comforted her soul with the rhythms of nature. Only then, when Caylee’s relatives were ready to acknowledge and reclaim her spirit did Kaia release the young bones from her nurturing womb.

[SugarBoo]

I,too, would like to know if they can reverse their decision about the death penalty?

[rose]

we are so sad over this, we feel like it was our grandchild. When I get off work im going to go home and cry. I feel so bad for the grandparents they lost a daughter and a granddaughter but I hope they realize the truth now.

[Gracie]

My heart is literally broken. Not that I believed this would not be the outcome, but, like Buzz - I feel I've taken a kick in the gut. I feel like you all in that this is a bittersweet discovery. As honestly as we all felt Casey's guilt, no one wanted this to be the real end.

Since nothing can be done to help Caylee now but respect her remains, I pray that enough evidence (DNA or whatever) will be the lynchpin that silences Casey forever... at least on this earth.

My heart goes out to Caylee's (quite confused) grandparents. Although they are never going to concede their monster offspring did this, I hope they can at least be comforted their angel is in heaven.

~~Gracie

[helenhudson]

Thanks for all the news and updates.

[stacey c]

according to the Florida Fox tv station live feed -they are waiting right now to serve a search warrant for the Anthony home. They won't say what it is they are looking for - back yard maybe? DNA? obviously they want to match something from the scene to something in the home...

I just can't believe this may be Caylee... I mean i believe it but I really didn't think this would happen.

[julie`]

pretty convienant the body was found when the anthoys were out of town...were was lee when the body was found.

[BeckyM]

If this is indeed Caylee then it cements the case against Casey and the chance of a conviction against a child's murderer has a better chance of seeing justice.

Sorry but I find some of the statements in the news sanctimonious at best from the people the newsmedia are rushing to interview for another NewsByte.

[Amy]

Fox News is reporting that duct tape was found over the mouth of the skull.
My heart is just breaking.

[Robbie]

Wow, isn't this right were Mr. Godwin predicted on his map here on this website? Did everyone see that blog on his mapping system?

I'm afraid that Casey already has a story prepared for this. She's just going to say that she was right. That because of everyone sticking their nose in her situation that the "kidnappers" decided to kill Caylee. Her parents will continue to believe her lies.

[rona]

Thanks, but I've been watching and reading and so far, police aren't saying anything about a bag (trash, plastic or any type of bag) being found or that the utility worker was "seeing a man about a horse" when he sees a bag, picks it up and the human child skull drops out. Rather, the report said there were workers (I dont' know how many but it was suggestive of more than one person) who were digging in the area when they came across a skull. So which is it? Where are you getting your info?

[julie]

How would duct tape stick to the skull if it had been placed over skin. The skin , muscle and tissue would have decomposed, and then usually the jaw separates because the connective tissue is gone... depending on the stage of decomp.. so then how would it then be stuck to the skull?
Regardless if it is found to be casey alone or with an accomplice she NEEDS the dealth penalty. She said it herself when she said, "in my gut she is still close to home" I have never been so outraged by a case as this. I have never been so much for the dealth penatly as in her situation. Tax payers should not have to bother with feeing and clothing this selfish monster for the rest of her life. the money they save putting casey to dealth could be used to protect children of abuse.

[Suzan]

When I set out for Florida, that is the area I went to 'specifically' check, I never got to..we were sent to other area's by tes and le.

Gosh .. I am glad it's over...

[Gracie]

Wow, Suzan, are you the one that took off time with your husband and went down there from VA? I remembered that some areas were cordoned off because of the high water.

Please, can I ask that we be sensitive to the findings on or around the remains? This is still a human child's remains and he/she deserves every ounce of respect.

Right now I pray that Casey decides to be her own counsel and gets a jury of folks that can't be fooled by her smile and cunning word play, and she's "too smart" to make/take any sort of plea deal. (Heaven help the prosecutor that offers one.)

~~Gracie

[Becky Rutledge]

Robbie, everyone is right about the trash bag. I was watching when they broke into programing to make the anouncement. It was on Fox and the Nancy Grace show. It was a utilities man who found the remains. He had actually gone into the woods a bit to pee. When he saw the bag he kicked it and the scull rolled out.He called the sheriff's office. All the channels are saying that the head, mouth was duck taped (which is going to cause a real problem for saying this was an accident. You don't put duck tape on a dead poersons mouth. The news said that there were other things in the bag, but would not talk. They went to the scene and within minutes were getting a search warrant. The Anthoney's came home then and were not even allowed in the house. Some were saying that they were testing to see if the trash bag matched the ones at the Anthony's home. They were also looking for duck tape. I wondered if the cross that Casey bought 2, the day they think Caylee died was in the bag. I am just thinking out loud. When she bought the 2, they thought one was for her and the other was fr Caylee. I would assume that she would put it on her. I don't think that Casey can wear jewelry in jail, and again I wondered if they were trying to find the one that Casey has to see if they match. The Antony's were on Larry King last night, and they were supposed to be on again tomorrow night. I thought they would cancel, but the TV is advertising they will be there to talk after the body was found. Can you imagine what that story will be like.
I wondered if anyone else had noticed that I have not seen Cindy shed a tear since Caylee has been missing. I think that is very strange. Does anyone else????? I am beginning to loose sympathy for them at this point they are just so protecting Casey. I don't think that Casey will get out of this so easy. I am s glad that they found the body,for Caylee's sake and all of the people who searched for her. I hope the prosecution plays Caylee singing Please Don't Take My Sunshine Away for the jury. What goes around does come around

[Vera]

Thanks Becky, I understand what you and the rest are saying. Yes, It seems strange so....Maybe it is how hurt people live and cope. They cling on to the HOPE that she isn't dead that everything isn't the way it looks. How else could you live or breathe?
Unfortunately, It looks like this little girl isn't alive. And they will need help coping.
Yes, I want to shake them all and say "wake up" but a therapist will have to do that job.
And I hope the legal system takes the right steps deal with the guilty.

Hug your kids-and show them love.

[Julie]

Dear gracie
I am not sure if you were responding to my question a few lines up from your response about being sensitive to the remains. I agree with you and if you were not speaking of my question/comment, i apologize, however if you were, i wanted to clarify so that my question did not seem cold and ridiculous. I asked about those kind of details and was speaking strictly in a scientific way because I wanted to find comfort that the duct tape could not have been placed over her. I can not even type the full sentence because the thought of casey anthony or anyone, actually doing those things that the media implied yesterday, just rips my heart out. I was trying to say "clearly that duct tape slipped off the bag, there could be no way for someone to do that to a child" So i was hopeing that someone would agree with my scientific point of view and say "You are right" "There is no way that the duct tape was placed there, it fell off the bag when it was moved". So i apologize that i didnt sound respectful, I certainly did not mean to. I have a medical background, and you learn to separate yourself from the emotional when you are learning and i slipped into that mode. I was only thinking anatomy and was not relating it to sweet Caylee at the time. Believe me there is a lump in my throat now typing this. It was complete shock on my part and really wanting that information to be incorrect. I know that I have no connection to this case, however, i relate to it in that I have a 15 month old son who my sun rises and sets for. The thought of any child going through this is unfathomable. I myself a victim of child abuse and lived in an orphange from the age of 11-17 knows first hand how horrible a life that is. Maybe there is a bit of surviors guilt inside of me when i hear of cases like this. There is something inside me that makes me want to protect all children of abuse. I hope you feel better Gracie knowing that I have nothing but respect for this little girl, and though i do not know her, I would do anything i could to have this outcome be different than what it is.
may our hearts heal
Sincerely
Julie

[Suzan]

No Gracie, I came down with Jordan (cadaver dog) from Missouri.

[Gracie]

Hi Julie and Suzan,

Thank you both for responding.

Thank you, Suzan for being part of the search that so many of us wished we could have partaken in as well... and know that our thoughts and prayers were with you.

Thank you, Julie, first for being a survivor, and secondly for not hiding from the horrors we face in life but putting your voice to resolution. I am so sorry for your suffering, Julie, and many of us have travailed in life, and like you, we draw strength from our courage to survive and continue.

I too well remember the vehemence and evil (my own anger included) directed at Casey on previous topics through October and November, and hoped we wouldn't resort to "too much speculation" or "too graphic details" too soon. What is too soon? I guess that is for each of us to decide. For me, this week, it is too soon. Maybe once we know it is or is not Caylee and her remains are buried? Will that happen before the trial? Will the defense attorneys try to hold her remains indefinitely with never ending trial extensions?

Carefully speaking about the duct tape on or around the remains... I do believe it possible for this type product to adhere postmortem to tissues (under layers liquify, but initial tissue contact may remain intact (hot/dry conditions from June - July) causing leathery outer layer to shrink to fit boney structures), even through levels of decomposition, depending on how the product and tissues are protected from the elements (particularly UV/heat affects adhesion glues vs/ moisture) and the statement whether it was "attached to" or "on" can have definitely different meanings. (I have to say, I have no testing or experimental knowledge of duct tape in this application.) I do know that my own hair, from many, many "shades" ago remains intact on duct tape that was used to bolster a wire/wood application that is in the elements (not underwater) 24/7/365 x 10. Very brittle on the ends, but the adhesion patch is still "holding" my hair to the wood/wire.

I do appreciate how most here have treaded so lightly on this subject.
It doesn't calm the raw feelings of this case - Caylee is our neighbor's daughter or granddaughter, and she is every American family's darling.

Thank you, David, for continually covering this as the "defense spin machine" will continue to churn but "we" will always be hungry for factual updates.

God keep Caylee. In Your hands we commend her spirit.

~~Gracie

[Mike]

so very sad.

[Missy in Iowa]

i knew it as soon as I heard it. I am sad she is found but glad we might all have some closure.

[Robbie]

Becky R.

You meant to respond to "rona," not to me. The poster's name is at the bottom of what they type, not at the top.

[helenhudson]

>>How would duct tape stick to the skull if it had been placed over skin. The skin , muscle and tissue would have decomposed, and then usually the jaw separates because the connective tissue is gone...

According to WFTV, the duct tape was adhered to remaining tissue and hair.

http://www.wftv.com/news/18264817/detail.html

[DJ]

All I can think about is this little girl looking for someone to help her duing this terrible event. The person that should have laid down thier life for Caylee took it. I believe that the mother should pay the ultimate price for this.

P.S. The grandparents are not outside of suspicion here.

[patrick]

O.J. Simpson got away with murder with his dream team(hired guns)will Casey get away with murder with her DREAM TEAM?

[Patrick Smith]

To whom it may concern,
Since O.J.Simpson got away with Murder with his Dream Team (Hired Guns)will Casey get away with murder with her new found friends( Her DREAM TEAM)?
I hope not!
I hope the American People( whoever is on the jury)have learned their lesson and not fall for the same smoke and mirrors a second time.
At least CAYLEE IS WITH THE LORD JESUS NOW, HER PAIN AND SUFFERING IS OVER.

[Lynn]

I am certain tests will prove duct tape was placed on post mortem. Casey left the body in an obvious place to be found quickly and kept hinting at it (she's close) repeatedly. She thinks she is so clever, trying to make it look like the nanny did it...good try, but forensics will blow that away as well as that smug look on her face. They will not let this 22 year old knit wit outsmart them..I am not worried in the least that forensics will tie this to products in the house, a fingerprint or other.

[Lynn]

The big difference between this case and OJ is quite BIG...OJ was very well liked by the general popluation, and a near God to the African Americans....can one say that about Casey? You will not find a jury to screw this up like they did OJ - don't worry.

[RICKY]

I PRAY THAT CASEY GETS THE DEATH PENALTY,AND HER DUMB PARENTS TOO.FOR BELIEVING ALL HER BULL.THE FATHER WAS A POLICE OFFICER,WELL THAT WASTED ALOT OF OUR TAX DOLLARS BY HIRING,A POLICE OFFICER THAT CANNOT TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A TRASH SMELL AND A BODY.THE LITTLE ANGEL IS IN HEAVEN IN GODS HANDS,THE REST OF THE ANTHONYS CAN GO STRAIGHT TO HE**,FOR TRYING TO COVER FOR THERE MONSTEROUS SPAWN.I AM TICKED OVER ALL OF THIS,OUR CHILDREN SHOULD BE PROTECTED NOT PRAYED UPON,BY THIS DEVIL THAT INSULTS FAMILIES THAT CANNOT HAVE CHILDREN OF THERE OWN,I HAD TO VENT..

[Maryelle]

I Think This Case Is A Complete Utter Outrage. Clearly This Evil MONSTER Aka The Mother MURDERED Her Own Blood, Her Child, Her Own Daughter. She Is Criminally INSANE & Should Be Prosecuted As Such Aka Sent To Her Death By Lethal INJECTION. They Should Seek Out The Death Penalty Most Defiantly So That Her Daughter's Soul Can Rest In Peace, And So That The Entire World Has Reasurance That A Cold Blooded Murdered Has Been Put To Death Paying For What She Has Done To A Poor Innocent Child. If It Was Up To Me I Put WITHOUT A DOUBT Put Her To Death, She Gets What She Deserves THE END. Fingers Crossed They Change Their Ruling. PS My 18th Birthday Is On January 5th I Will Be Tuning In To See Her Sentence. May Her Daughter Rest In Peace.

[Maryelle]

SHE IS A MURDERER .

DEATH BY LETHAL INJECTION ASAP .