Divers Discover Skeletal Remains in Florida Lake That May Be ‘Historically Significant’

Skeletal remains discovered at the bottom of a Florida lake may be "historically significant," authorities announced on Friday.

According to the Lee County Sheriff's Office, recreational divers found the remains at the bottom of a lake in Lehigh Acres on Thursday.

The Major Crimes Unit and Dive Team responded to the location on Oakridge Circle near Joel Boulevard, the office said in a statement posted on social media.

They used a Marine Unit, underwater drones and forensic technicians to investigate the discovery.

Footage from the scene can be viewed on the Lee County Sheriff's Office Facebook page.

A clip showed a woman using a rope to pull an object from the lake while deputies monitored a radar.

"Our on-scene initial assessment is that these skeletal remains could possibly be historically significant," per the LCSO statement.

The sheriff said the lake's considerable depth, reaching nearly 200 feet, posed challenges for the Dive Team, who faced limited visibility.

The presence of 8-foot-long alligators also necessitated deputies standing guard with rifles.

Authorities said that an investigation into the area will "take some time," but they will prioritize the preservation of potential evidence or historical artifacts.

"Sheriff Carmine Marceno has ensured that the highest level of care and compassion will be given in the recovery efforts," the Lee County Sheriff's Office statement read.

The department is collaborating with the District 21 Medical Examiner's Office for further testing and examinations.