Tragedy turned to outrage for grieving families in San Antonio, as Angelic Monuments owner Elena Moreno was arrested yesterday on charges of swindling customers by failing to deliver paid-for funeral headstones, Police arrested the 47-year-old after investigations sparked by customer complaints; Moreno is charged with theft in the range of $2,500 to $30,000.
Multiple families allege Angelic Monuments took payments - one family doling out more than $8,500 - but the headstones that were supposed to mark the final resting places of their loved ones, they never materialized; Moreno, however, maintains her innocence, saying "I did not" in response to reporters' questions regarding the accusations. In a statement obtained by KENS 5, San Antonio Police Department Public Information Officer Ricardo Guzman explained, "The family that was the victim of this case paid in full, and it was about $8,000 that they paid for the headstone, that they never received."
After prior KSAT reports on Moreno's business practices surfaced, more individuals stepped forward, Officer Guzman shared, "There was a story that media did on this, and with that story multiple victims came out." While Moreno is currently facing charges related to just one incident, police acknowledge that other cases are under active investigation and encourage any additional victims to contact the San Antonio Property Crimes detectives.
The emotional toll on the affected families compounded by frustration and heartbreak at their inability to memorialize their loved ones, according to statements by authorities, they are focused on bringing resolution and justice to those impacted by Moreno's alleged actions. "It’s frustrating for these families not being able to receive that closure from those headstones is frustrating, heartbreaking but we’re bringing justice for those families," Officer Guzman told KSAT in their coverage of the ongoing situation.
