Memorial stone stolen from Joy Division singer’s grave
THIEVES have stolen from a grave belonging to Joy Division frontman Ian Curtis.
Outraged fans have expressed their disgust over the removal of the ‘rare mowing stone’ from the cemetery in Macclesfield.
It is believed to have disappeared this week and it is not the first time the singer’s grave has been targeted.
In 2008 Ian’s inscribed memorial stone was stolen and a replacement was quickly cemented in place.
But now a mowing stone, which is used to house floral tributes, has been taken.
“The stone was noticed as missing by a fan visiting the memorial on Saturday,” said Marko who runs Joy Division Central on Twitter.
“While first impressions were that it had been stolen, and there was some evidence of an attempt to remove the larger stone with the inscription on it, there was nobody at the cemetery over the weekend to report it to.
“I must stress, there could have been, and still could be, an innocent explanation.
“However, Ian Seivwright, who took the photos, visited the cemetery this morning and the staff were unaware at that point that the stone had been taken.
“The concern is somebody may have tried to steal the inscribed stone too.”
Curtis, who was 23-years-old when he took his own life, is buried at Macclesfield Cemetery, on Prestbury Road.
A spokesman at Macclesfield Cemetery said: “A rare mowing stone has been taken or removed, we believe over the weekend.
“It is about a square foot with a hole for a floral tribute, it is purely there for aesthetics, there is no inscription on it.
“Somebody came today to report it stolen. We have since replaced the stone.”