Watch CBS News

Ashes Of 12-Year-Old Son Only Missing Item In Waterford Break-In

UPDATE: $1,000 Reward After Ashes Of Boy Reported Stolen

WATERFORD (WWJ) - A holiday tragedy for a Waterford couple as their house is broken into and they lose their most precious possession: the ashes of their 12-year-old son who died five years ago.

WWJ's Sandra McNeill spoke with David Turnquist about the break-in and the theft of his stepson's ashes.

"He didn't want to die and be put in the cold ground, and so she promised him, 'we'll have you cremated and you'll be with me forever' and who would have ever thought that that would not be safe in our home," said Turnquist.

Turnquist tells WWJ he and his wife are at a loss to figure out who would do such a thing.

"My wife, after almost five years has gotten to the point to where she can just about make it through the holidays and his birthday - and now this," said Turnquist. "It's like - what kind of sick individual would be twisted enough to do something like this, and it doesn't matter who it is - I mean you'd have to be pretty darned disturbed - pretty nuts."

The ashes were in an ordinary box with his stepson Ryan McDonald's obituary and photos.  The ashes are the only thing that was taken in the break-in sometime between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Friday.

Turnquist says his wife is distraught and they're mulling over whether to offer a reward for tips in the case. "You did what you did - that's irrelevant - nothing else matters to us at this point we just want Ryan's remains back," added Turnquist.

Anyone with information is asked to call Waterford Township Police at (248) 674-0351.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.