A Surprise, Arizona woman, Sage Ferrell, is offering a $775 reward for the return of her grandfather’s ashes, reported missing from her vehicle last Friday. According to FOX 10 Phoenix, the urn, a light purple container with silver trim, about the size of a hand was taken from her car at her apartment complex near Bell Road and Grand Avenue.
The incident came to light when Ferrell’s fiancé noticed their car's doors ajar the next day, leading to the grim discovery that at least four other vehicles in the vicinity had been tampered with. "Me and my fiancé have moved probably four or five states now since we've been together, and my grandpa has been able to travel across the country with me," Ferrell told Yahoo News. She has carried the urn with her ever since she began driving, to maintain a connection to her late grandfather, who passed away in 2015.
Desperate to have the ashes returned, Ferrell has insisted that those responsible can return the urn anonymously. "I don't need to know anybody's name," she said in a statement obtained by FOX 10 Phoenix. "I’m really hoping that, after realizing that there was someone’s ashes in there, they would do the right thing and bring it back." The loss of this personal item has been described as losing her grandfather all over again.
Ferrell's grandfather died from cancer eight years ago, and the urn has been a constant companion on her travels. Despite the ordeal, she attempts to remember her grandfather’s humor, suggesting to Yahoo News that "I’d like to think he would think this is a really funny situation. He was a very humorous guy." However, the absence of the physical reminder of him remains a source of pain. "As I get to experience something new, he’s also there with me," Ferrell added. "I feel devastated that he’s not able to be with me anymore.."
Local police have been notified, and a report has been filed concerning the theft. Ferrell's primary aim is to arrange an anonymous and safe return of the urn. Should you have any information about the missing urn, please reach out to the Surprise Police Department at 623-222-4000.
