Lee County Sheriff's Office seeks family after urn found on Captiva beach

CAPTIVA ISLAND, Fla. (WINK)—An urn was found buried in the sand at Turner Beach during the weekend, leaving beachgoers confused about how it ended up there.

The urn, which features palm trees, is now in the care of the Lee County Sheriff's Office. WINK News spoke to visitors at Captiva Island about the unusual discovery.

Kristine Kepple, visiting from Las Vegas, was surprised by the find.

"Well, um, I've never heard of that before," Kepple said.

Grayson, visiting from Boston, found the discovery strange.

"I think that's very weird," Grayson said.

Jeanine Petsche, a beachgoer, said she initially thought someone may have buried the urn at a loved one's favorite spot, but was surprised by the choice of location.

"I wasn't really sure what to think. I felt like he was, or she was, gonna lay the ashes out at their family member's, you know, favorite spot," Petsche said. "I was kinda surprised that they buried it. I would've personally taken it home."

Kepple said she wouldn't have chosen to bury an urn on a public beach.

"I don't think I would bury an urn on a public beach," Kepple said.

The Lee County Sheriff's Office said the goal is to return the urn to the family who may have lost it. People on social media suggested the urn could have been buried or washed out of a home during a hurricane.

Petsche said the theory seemed plausible after further thought.

"I really didn't think that at the time, but, you know, the more I thought about it, yeah, that could very well be possible," Petsche said. "In a home, on a mantel. If it was washed away, it could've been washed away from anywhere."

Anyone who recognizes the urn should contact the Lee County Sheriff's Office to claim it.