SAN ANTONIO — An Elmendorf family is angry and hurt after a headstone was stolen from a burial plot at the Elmendorf Cemetery. The family says this is not the first time the burial plot has been desecrated.
“My first thing was like, what the hell are they doing, taking his headstone? Why?” wondered Ann Martinez, whose nephew is buried in the plot.
The family of Larry Alvarez-Perez say they discovered his headstone was stolen on Thursday.
“It broke me down, again," Martinez said. "I got very shaky, very short of breath."
It was earlier this month that the family celebrated what would have been Larry's 22nd birthday. But just days later, they found themselves in tears after the headstone vanished.
Martinez says the family suspects this is a targeted theft.
“Larry's gravesite has been urinated on, Larry's gravesite has been vandalized by other things that have been put there and have been broken into pieces, Larry's gravesite has also been shot at," Martinez said.
These apparent vandals are hitting his gravesite on birthdays and death anniversaries, according to his family.
Martinez says they filed a report with Elmendorf police, which is limited in what can be done.
“We spoke to them, but unfortunately they can’t do nothing because there’s no evidence," Martinez said.
Martinez said an investigator told her that, with all the vandalism, they might consider having Larry's body exhumed.
"Why should we though?" Martinez now asks. "My mother paid for the plot."
The family wants answers, and is now hoping someone will come forward with information about what happened to Larry's headstone.
“That's what my family and I are looking for: Justice and tips, answers of who may have that headstone or what they did with it.”
The family is asking anyone with information to reach out to them through Facebook; you can find Martinez's page by clicking here.
The family also started a GoFundMe to replace the headstone. If you would like to help, you can click here.
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