Ashes To Ashes, Dust To Dust
The victim of a burglary says her father’s ashes were stolen and that two relatives and a third man are to blame after they thought they were stealing cocaine.
“I just couldn’t believe that they would take the ashes,” said Debora Matthews, the victim of the robbery. “But you know, they were kids and I guess just stupid.”
Matthews says Devin Gesell and two minors rummaged through her home in St. Peters, stealing several items in addition to the ashes. She also says she believes the minors are two of her father’s grandchildren.
“I’m very upset because of the minors. I mean [they] were his grandsons,” Matthews said. “They did that to their grandfather.
They didn’t even realize it was their grandfather’s ashes.”
She says the three thought the ashes stored in a container was cocaine, but after they tasted it, they realized what they had really stolen.
However, instead of bring it back, they scattered the ashes all over the highway as they fled.
St. Peter’s police arrested Gesell and the minors.
Gesell is now facing possible burglary and theft charges.
