Mum’s pain over third grave theft
Flowers for murdered daughter taken:
THE mum of a 21-year-old woman murdered by her ex-boyfriend said thieves have stripped her grave of its flowers for a third time.
Jenna Thomas, from North Cornelly, near Bridgend, was strangled to death by Philip Steven Packer in June 2009.
Her parents Kay and David Thomas laid Jenna to rest at Cornelly Cemetery near the family home and often visit to leave flowers.
But last July, the couple were left devastated when they found Jenna’s grave had been stripped of the artificial flowers left to mark the 10-year anniversary of her death just weeks before.
Shortly after Christmas, Kay and David discovered another set of flowers had been taken.
And when David visited last Wednesday, he found the grave bare for the third time.
Kay, who has fibromyalgia and uses a wheelchair, said: “It’s the third time it’s happened now.
“When Dave told me I felt anger, I was upset.
“I felt sick to my stomach. I don’t know when it happened because it’s lockdown and the cemetery had been locked.
“They were there before lockdown began and then when my husband went down on Wednesday they had gone. It had only reopened the day before.
“I can’t understand why someone would take them. I don’t know if someone has taken them to put on someone else’s grave, but I don’t know why you would want to do that.”
Kay said she leaves artificial flowers on Jenna’s grave because she’s unable to visit as often as she would like due to her health conditions, but she adds fresh flowers on special occasions.
“It’s always the artificial flowers, which just doesn’t make any sense,” she said.
“I’m always in bits when I visit anyway, but this makes it so much worse.
“We went through hell and back when he murdered her – I still remember the day we found out.
“As soon as they knocked on the door I said, ‘He’s murdered her, I know he’s murdered her.’
“That happened 11 years ago, and now we have this.
“It’s just horrendous – I don’t know why it’s happening.”
In 2010, Packer was convicted of murder and was sentenced to 18 years in prison, later reduced to 16 on appeal.
Bridgend council said anyone who witnesses suspicious behaviour at cemeteries should report it to the authorities.
A spokesman said: “The flowers have not been removed by council staff, and appear to have been stolen.
“Theft is always an upsetting experience, but especially so when it involves items which have been legitimately placed at the grave of a relative or friend.
“Anyone who witnesses suspicious behaviour taking place in local cemeteries is urged to report it to the authorities immediately so that appropriate action can be taken.”