VANCOUVER – Chilliwack RCMP are investigating a case of mischief to a grave.
Police say when family members visited the grave on April 20 at a cemetery they found the site had been partially dug up. The coffin, which had been there for 20 years, had not been broken into as it was cemented closed. The cemetery belongs to a local First Nations group and is located in the 44200 block Chilliwack Mountain Road.
Several shovels were left at the scene.
“This is a disturbing occurrence,” said Cpl. Len van Nieuwenhuizen. “We are taking this very seriously. The cemetery is located in a rural and remote area so we are asking the assistance of the general public in solving this.”
It is believed the deceased person had been buried with family heirlooms, including jewelry and that thieves may have been after those.
Van Nieuwenhuizen says it is an extremely unusual event.
“In my policing experience, this is the first time I have encountered this. It is certainly something that does not happen on a regular basis here.”
Police believe that the grave may have been dug up several days prior to April 20. Anyone having knowledge of this is asked to contact the Chilliwack RCMP at 604-792-4611 or, if you wish to remain anonymous, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
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