A newly-uncovered ground-penetrating radar report shows 16 anomalies in an undeveloped parcel next to Marti-Colon Cemetery where neighbors suspect unmarked graves.<\/p>\n
TAMPA, Fla. \u2014 A newly-uncovered ground-penetrating radar report shows 16 anomalies in an undeveloped parcel next to Marti-Colon Cemetery<\/a> in West Tampa where neighbors who have long suspected unmarked graves are fighting potential development.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThe truth is the truth. It’s a cemetery. It’s always been a cemetery,\u201d The Cemetery Society founder Aileen Henderson<\/a> said. \u201cWe have a GPR that is suggesting there are anomalies here.\u201d<\/p>\n RELATED | Grave decision: Tampa approves request to divide land with possible unmarked graves from Marti-Colon Cemetery<\/a><\/p>\n 10 Investigates verified a Pasco County GPR company scanned the parcel at 3203 W. Saint John Street in West Tampa in March 2024. \u201cThe purpose of the scan was to attempt to identify any anomalies on the subject property,\u201d the report stated.\u00a0<\/p>\n However, the report did not reach a conclusion on whether the anomalies were, in fact, graves. \u201cAfter conducting GPR scans we were able to identify multiple anomalies in this 1 acre piece of land. We can\u2019t determine the origin of the anomalies,\u201d the report said.\u00a0<\/p>\n RELATED | Push to divide land near historic Tampa cemetery renews concerns over unmarked graves<\/a><\/p>\n Ground-penetrating radars work by sending signals into the ground and receiving reflections back that can show disturbances in the soil. Some of the anomalies in the report were identified as being six to seven feet underground, the same depth as most graves. However, confirmation requires a process called \u201cground-truthing,\u201d where archaeologists do careful, non-invasive digs to determine the presence of graves.\u00a0<\/p>\n Currently, a local architect owns the parcel in question. Patrick Thorpe purchased the land more than five years ago and made a promise to the community Henderson feels he is now breaking.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cMy intent is to form a non-profit cemetery company in order to create a revenue stream for the City of Tampa that can be used to maintain, preserve and protect the city\u2019s five cemeteries that [they] currently own which are not generating any income or providing any financial surety to provide for their perpetual care,\u201d Thorpe said in a 2019 email to 10 Tampa Bay News<\/a>. \u201cThis non-profit cemetery company would help to offset those expenses.\u201d<\/p>\n While no nonprofit cemetery yet exists under Thorpe\u2019s care, the Chabad of East Pasco and New Tampa, Inc. was in talks with him to purchase the land to establish a cemetery for its congregation. The group withdrew in 2024 after conducting its own GPR study. Those results were never made public. It’s unclear if the report 10 Investigates obtained is the same one.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe’re aligned with what the community wants, which is to preserve the historic cemetery of Marti-Colon,\u201d Rabbi Mendy Yarmush told 10 Investigates at the time.<\/p>\n RELATED | After search for graves, group withdraws application to rezone land next to Marti Colon Cemetery<\/a><\/p>\n Records show Thorpe petitioned the city in August 2025 to divide the parcel of land to multiple lots to \u201cfacilitate compatible development.\u201d The city granted his request.\u00a0<\/p>\n City of Tampa records show Thorpe applied for residential utilities in December. The application states that the service is wanted by March 1.<\/p>\n \u201cThis particular owner bought this property and said he would do the right thing,\u201d Henderson said. \u201cHe’s hurting a lot of people because he’s gone back on his word.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n 10 Investigates has reached out to Thorpe for this story and for previous reports on this issue. Our requests for comment have not been returned.<\/p>\n Emerald Morrow is an investigative reporter with\u00a010 Tampa Bay. Like her on\u00a0Facebook<\/a>\u00a0and follow her on Twitter<\/a>. You can also email her at<\/a>\u00a0emorrow@10TampaBay.com<\/a>. To read more about the search for erased cemeteries in the Tampa Bay area, head to\u00a010tampabay.com\/erased<\/a>.<\/p>\n