The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office is investigating after partial human remains were discovered near the Sunshine Skyway Bridge Saturday morning.
At approximately 7:48 a.m. on September 5, 2026, the Florida Highway Patrol received a report of a body that had washed ashore along the northbound lanes of Interstate 275 near the bridge.
Deputies and detectives with the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office responded and confirmed the remains were those of an adult woman.
Authorities said additional identifying information, including the woman’s age and physical characteristics, is not available at this time. Investigators believe she may have been in the water for several days.
The circumstances surrounding the woman’s death remain under investigation.
An autopsy is scheduled for Sunday to help determine the cause and manner of death and assist investigators in identifying the woman.
Anyone with information about a missing adult woman or details that may be relevant to the investigation is asked to contact the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office at 941-747-3011.