Bury St Edmunds couple speak of 'anger' after theft from daughter's grave at West Suffolk Crematorium

A couple have spoken of their heartbreak and anger after a statue they bought for their daughter's grave was taken from a crematorium.

Geraldine and David Parsley, aged in their 80s, visited the plot of their daughter Frances Emms at West Suffolk Crematorium in Risby about three weeks ago when they realised the 2.5ft-tall fairy statue they had left there as a Christmas present was missing.

Mrs Emms was 42 when she died from cancer in 2012 - and it is coming up to the 10th anniversary of her death.

Claire Butcher, site manager at West Suffolk Cemetery and Crematorium, said as soon as they were made aware of the theft they checked their CCTV, but unfortunately it did not cover that part of the grounds.

Speaking of the theft, Mrs Parsley, 83, from Moreton Hall in Bury St Edmunds, said it was 'terrible' this had happened and they were 'so angry'.

She said: "How heartbroken and disgusted we were to think that someone could sink so low as to steal such a thing from a grave.

"We hope they never get any pleasure or sleep at night when they and their family look at our statue."

The bronze-coloured statue, which was placed on the grave at Christmas, was called 'fairy of the birds' and was purchased for about £60 from a garden centre.

Mrs Parsley said: "My daughter, Belinda Cordy, and I were looking for something nice and we went to the garden centre and said 'that's it', both at the same time more or less. It was a lovely little thing."

Mrs Emms, from Bury St Edmunds, had 'loved animals and birds', Mrs Parsley said, and she described her daughter as 'very, very funny and very clever and also she loved cooking'.

"She got on so well with people. She was a real people's person. She had lots of friends," she added.

Ms Butcher said: "Our hearts go out to Mr and Mrs Parsley who are victims of a heartless theft of a memorial.

"We would expect everyone in the community to respect memorials, as they are an important part of the grieving process and help families to remember their loved ones."

She said they have been unable to find anything that might help with identifying the perpetrator, but would appeal to anyone who might have information about the whereabouts of the memorial to come forward so it can be reunited with the family and put back in place.

Contact West Suffolk Cemetery and Crematorium on 01284 755118.

Mr and Mrs Parsley have also reported the theft to police this week and are awaiting a crime number.