‘All I want is my son’s ashes’
On March 18, 2020, my son Andrew passed away unexpectedly at the age of 36. It was a shock to the whole family. He was cremated and I kept his ashes in my home for comfort.
On Dec. 31, 2021, at some point between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., someone broke into our home in Upper Rawdon.
I immediately called the RCMP.
At first, we were not sure what was taken because every room was ransacked. Then we saw that Andrew's urn was not where I had been keeping it. We were devastated to think that someone would steal it. Among the other things stolen from our home were personal mementos of Andrew, including three rings, his watch and a few other items.
Andrew was well loved by his friends and I have received a lot of emails and calls from them. They are as shocked and disgusted as we are that someone would take his urn.
Most other things that were taken were material things that can be replaced, but when it comes to a deceased loved one, it is very emotional, and not something you can ever forget.
Even if they find the person or people responsible for this, the only thing that I would like back is my son.
It's devastating that he is gone again. I had to go through this once at his death and now I have to go through it again because I don't have him anymore — I can't reach
out and touch his urn and say “Hi” or “Good morning” or “I love you.”
I still have a lot of memories of Andrew in my head and my heart — and those are more important than family photographs, but I would love to have the urn back.
I don't care if the other stolen items, such as a TV and laptop, are returned or I don't even care if the people who broke into the house are identified. All I want is my son's ashes to be returned.
After a few weeks passed with no sign of the urn or Andrew's ashes, East Hants District RCMP asked for the public's help. Anyone with information is asked to call East Hants District RCMP at 902-883-7077. Anonymous tips can be sent to Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222TIPS (8477).