The pristine landscapes of the Treasure Coast are known for their beauty, but a lingering 31-acre real estate eyesore in Sebastian has become the center of a profound local tragedy. For nearly two decades, the abandoned concrete shells of the River Preserve condominiums, located at 9900 US-1 along the Indian River Lagoon, have stood as a dangerous magnet for trespassers and urban explorers. Recently, decades of neglected property management culminated in the heartbreaking loss of a local teenager.
In August, the Indian River County community was shaken when Roylynn Scott, a 16-year-old Vero Beach High School student, tragically lost her life at the vacant property. While exploring the site with friends just before the start of the new school year, the teenager fell through a hole in the roof. Despite the desperate efforts of her friends administering CPR under the guidance of 911 dispatchers, she passed away the following day at a Melbourne hospital. In a touching tribute, Vero Beach students gathered at their next football game wearing purple—her favorite color—and observed a moment of silence in her honor.
The tragedy has cast a harsh light on a property that has been a well-known community hazard since construction abruptly halted in the mid-2000s. According to records from the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office, the abandoned condominiums have prompted dozens of trespassing and vandalism reports over the past 15 years.
The property has various areas that are hazardous to persons who enter.
That stark warning was documented by Deputy Kathy Gibson back in February 2011 during a sheriff’s investigation into site vandalism. At the time, law enforcement noted that doors were left unlocked, stairways provided unrestricted access to the roof, high ledges and balconies lacked barricades, and the perimeter fence was incomplete with missing no-trespassing signs. Despite threats to involve Code Enforcement over a decade ago, county administrator Amaris Gil confirmed there are no official code enforcement citations on record for the River Preserve.
Over the years, the derelict structures have drawn individuals from all over Florida, leading to at least seven notable arrests. Historic incidents documented by local deputies highlight the ongoing danger:
- 2020: An 18-year-old Palm Bay resident jumped from the second floor and fled through the woods after being caught trespassing with two minors.
- 2017: A 25-year-old man from Delray Beach led deputies on a 130-mph motorcycle chase stretching from Interstate 95 in Fellsmere to Indrio Road in Fort Pierce after bringing a date to the abandoned site.
- 2010: A Vero Beach man and woman were apprehended while attempting to strip the property of scrap metal.
- 2009: A sheriff’s helicopter spotted three men on the roof who claimed they climbed the tower simply to drink beer and enjoy the view of Sebastian.
Despite the heavily documented history of perilous conditions and empty assurances of demolition made last year, those responsible for the site have remained largely silent. Representatives for Indian River Preserve LLC, including associated property managers, have either declined to comment or failed to respond to media inquiries. An engineering consultancy firm tied to the project offered brief condolences to those affected by the tragic incident but cited pending investigations and potential litigation as reasons for their limited statement.
For residents of Indian River County, the catastrophic failure to secure this riverfront real estate serves as a grim reminder of the urgent need for structural accountability and stricter property management oversight across the Treasure Coast.
