Mystery over return of stolen headstone
Police maintain search for thief after stillborn baby’s memorial was found
The stolen headstone of an Auckland baby who died at birth 23 years ago has been found and returned to his family, police say.
Massey mum Tania Ranby was distraught after a headstone for her son Luke vanished from her neighbour’s home in Makora Rd, Massey, on November 20.
The small granite stone, a Thomas the Tank Engine likeness engraved into its lower right corner, disappeared from outside the neighbour’s property.
He was building a new housing for it so it could eventually be returned to the grave after a new, larger headstone was made to honour Luke and his twin brother, Liam, who died suddenly of an aneurysm in 2021 and is buried with his sibling.
Ranby couldn’t immediately be contacted for comment but told nzherald. co. nz last month she was “sad and perplexed” at the headstone’s disappearance.
“If you have it, please return it or drop it off somewhere where it can be found. It would mean a lot to us to get it back.”
It’s understood the headstone was found in grass at a property in Kumeu ¯ . Police are still trying to find out how it got there.
The headstone was recovered undamaged, police said.
“Police would like to thank the public for the considerable information received as a result of our appeal and we are pleased to bring a timely resolution to the victim.
“Inquiries to hold someone accountable for the theft remain ongoing, however, police are following lines of inquiry.”
In a touching gesture after the headstone’s disappearance, Pukekohe man Jack Piggott- Newton made a replica headstone at no charge.
The replica included the original inscription that Luke’s “soul is half of [ twin brother] Liam’s . . . be forever his twin guide”.
That had “made me feel good”, Ranby said.
“[ And] also knowing there’s people like Jack out there.”
Piggott- Newton also gave Ranby a second plaque with both her late sons’ names on it for her to keep at home.
The 23- year- old made the plaques after his wife read about the theft.
The couple have faced challenges of their own in recent times, losing a baby to miscarriage in 2020 and his wife this year undergoing a second kidney transplant, after which she suffered serious post- operation complications, Piggott- Newton said.
He started his business, General Restorations New Zealand, this year to supplement the income he received as his wife’s carer. His work included making and restoring headstones and restoring medals from commissions through the company’s Facebook page.
“I felt really sad for [ Ranby]. I know I can’t replace the original but this is something I can do.”