A Chicago mother's car was stolen outside her grandmother's Humboldt Park home with her son's ashes locked inside, setting off a frantic social media search that ended when the remains turned up on her family's front porch. Krystele Matthews had been carrying her son Zahir Eitan Jones' cremated remains in the vehicle when it was taken sometime between around 9 p.m. Monday night and Tuesday morning.
According to the Chicago Tribune, Matthews had parked her car outside her grandmother's house in Humboldt Park, and the car was apparently stolen sometime that night. The investigation was ongoing Wednesday. The car — a 2017 Chrysler — was gone Tuesday morning.
A TikTok Plea That Spread Fast
Matthews turned to social media to ask for help. In it, she pleaded for the return of her son's remains.
Days later, Matthews' family found her son's ashes on their front porch, returned in a bag carrying the sealed ashes along with a few small keepsakes. Matthews was reunited with her son's remains after the ordeal.
Remembering Zahir Eitan Jones
Zahir Eitan Jones was 14 years old when he died on August 9, 2026, according to Matthews.
Jones' services were held on August 22, 2026, in Dallas. Official memorial arrangements were organized through Black and Clark Funeral Home in Dallas, according to Legacy.
Vehicle Theft in Humboldt Park
The theft occurred in Humboldt Park.
Cases like this one aren't isolated to Chicago. In May, a Tacoma, Washington woman pleaded on social media after thieves broke into her vehicle and stole suitcases containing her 11-year-old brother's cremated remains, a story Hoodline previously reported.
The case also raises questions about social-media appeals and Illinois law.
For now, Matthews has her son's ashes back, but her Chrysler was gone Tuesday morning. The investigation was ongoing Wednesday.
