A stubborn, unexplained smell hanging over a stretch of Sarno Road ended in a grim find on Tuesday, when a decomposed body was discovered on the roof of a vacant Melbourne building. Neighbors had complained about the foul odor for days before someone finally climbed a ladder in the midafternoon and spotted the remains. The body was so heavily decomposed that investigators could not immediately identify the person, and police say they are working with the medical examiner to determine the cause and manner of death.
How the discovery unfolded
According to a release from the Melbourne Police Department, officers were tipped off about a possible body at about 3:22 p.m. and soon located the remains on the roof of the building at 2261 Sarno Road. The department said detectives had not yet positively identified the individual or established how the person died, and that investigators are working alongside the Brevard County Medical Examiner’s Office. Those details were reported by ClickOrlando.
What investigators and neighbors told reporters
Florida Today reported that workers remodeling a nearby home were the first to notice the strong odor and initially figured it was a dead animal. The smell persisted, and when they checked the roof, they found the body. Lt. Michael Tatalias, a watch commander with the Melbourne Police Department, told the outlet the remains may have been up there for at least two weeks, and said detectives are reviewing missing-person reports against what they found at the scene. Florida Today also reported that the body was turned over to the medical examiner in Rockledge for further examination.
Police: No ongoing threat but tips requested
Investigators say there is no ongoing threat to the public and that the case appears to be isolated, even as they continue to chase leads. The Melbourne Police Department has asked anyone with information to contact detectives while the Brevard County Medical Examiner completes its review. Local coverage and the department’s release describe the situation as an active investigation, according to ClickOrlando.
Officials have released a few other details and urged the community to be patient while forensic work continues. This post will be updated when the Melbourne Police Department or the Brevard County Medical Examiner’s Office provides additional information.
