Families visiting Crystal Springs Cemetery in Benton Harbor expecting a quiet moment with loved ones instead found something closer to a crime scene: heavy mausoleum doors pried off and family vaults left exposed.
Relatives who made the discovery in recent days alerted cemetery staff, and city workers have been scrambling to survey just how many vaults were hit. Benton Harbor police say the thefts are under investigation.
According to CBS News Detroit, officers confirmed that mausoleum doors were stolen from the Benton Harbor cemetery. The outlet reported that no suspects have been publicly identified and there is no word yet on any charges.
WNDU reported that families with loved ones interred at Crystal Springs Cemetery were asked to contact the city's deputy clerk so officials can match up records with damaged vaults. Investigators told the station they believe the doors were likely taken for scrap metal, and police say they are checking with local recycling centers.
Similar thefts flagged elsewhere
The crime may feel shocking, but it is not exactly new. In other parts of the country, hefty bronze and metal mausoleum doors have become a hot commodity for thieves because they can fetch thousands at scrap yards, prompting repeated warnings from law enforcement.
The Philadelphia Inquirer chronicled a series of similar cemetery thefts in 2025 that left tombs open to the elements and forced police to urge tighter security around mausoleums and other high-value fixtures.
How to check and who to call
The City of Benton Harbor’s website lists Crystal Springs Cemetery and provides contact information for families trying to confirm the status of interments and vaults. The City of Benton Harbor page for Crystal Springs includes a cemetery map, rules for visitors, and the office phone number.
Benton Harbor police are asking anyone who noticed suspicious activity around the cemetery or who has information about the thefts to contact the department. According to WNDU, investigators are canvassing the neighborhood and checking with nearby scrap yards and pawn shops as they chase down leads.
