Police investigate after body found inside parked RV in Melbourne

MELBOURNE, Fla. (FOX 35 WOFL) - Authorities are investigating after a gruesome discovery at a scenic campground in Brevard County.  The body of a camper was found inside an RV at the Wickham Park Campground in Melbourne.

A crime scene van was still at the campground on Monday morning, an unsettling sight for neighbors.  Right now, police are calling it a suspicious death. 

“It’s our first winter here, but we’ve heard so many good things about it, and it’s a hard park to get into,” said Beth Klebba, a retired math teacher who was spending her New Year's Eve at the peaceful, woodsy setting.

Melbourne police officers were called to the site over the weekend, to do a wellness check. The owner of the camper where the body was found was supposed go leave the space.  However, he hadn't been seen nor heard from in a while.  An officer knocked on the door, but there was no answer. That officer described an odor coming from some of the windows.  

“A lot of people are walking by, riding their bikes by," Klebba added.  "They want to talk about it, but we don’t know anything other than secondhand information.”

A locksmith got the camper open, then officers found a person dead near the bathroom.  Another agency has taken the lead on the case. Klebba said despite the frightening and stomach-turning find, she still thinks the campground is safe   She said she will wait with the rest of the campers for answers.

“We are excited to be here and we’ve enjoyed it so far,” Klebba said.

A big part of this investigation is trying to figure out when this person died.   Anyone with information is asked to contact the police.  The identity of the deceased was not immediately released.