PALM BAY, Fla. – In the southwestern corner of Palm Bay, the Compound is a 2,321-acre stretch of undeveloped land with a dark history.
The area was originally planned as a large residential community, but after its original owner went bankrupt in 1991, it was left largely abandoned. Over the years, it has become a magnet for crime.
Below is a recap of high-profile stories:
March 2026
An abandoned suitcase containing human remains was discovered on Bombardier Boulevard after vultures drew officers to the scene. An Amazon package inside one suitcase led to the arrest of Lucas Jones, 19, of Indialantic.
The discovery renewed calls for change. Councilman Kenny Johnson said the city has applied for a $3 million state grant to build utilities in the Compound to attract development.
December 2025
Daniel Stearns, 35, was sentenced to life in prison for the second-degree murder of Nancy Howery, 44, whose dismembered and burned remains were found scattered across the Compound in 2023.
Prosecutors said Stearns killed Howery because she wouldn’t date him exclusively after the two met online.
April 2025
Palm Bay introduced “The Compound Redevelopment Action Plan,” a five-phase project to transform the area into a business and industrial park.
The city projected 2,500 new jobs, nearly $2 million in annual tax revenue, and approximately 960,000 square feet of new construction upon completion.
December 2023
Jamarcus Simpson, 18, was arrested nearly a year after the Christmas Day 2022 shooting deaths of Jeremiah Brown, 14, and Travon Anthony, 16. Police said they were found executed in an open field inside the Compound.
The 18-year-old blamed the 17-year-old co-defendant in the Christmas 2022 tragedy, Juan Shuren, for shooting Anthony and Brown.
September 2023
Police said Nicolas Mitchell’s body was found in the Compound after his roommate told police that Mitchell wore a GPS-enabled heart monitor.
Rene Lemos, 41, and Robert Lanning, 28, were arrested out of state. Lanning was accused of shooting Mitchell and fleeing in his BMW.