Columbia woman seeks help finding daughter’s stolen ashes
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
A Columbia woman is asking for help locating her daughter's ashes after she said her car was broken into on Thursday night.
Gloria Frazier has been living on Stone Street for nearly 40 years. During that time, she said she has never had anything taken from her car. Frazier returned home on Thursday night around 8 p.m. When she got into her car the next day, at around 3 p.m., she noticed that something wasn’t right.
“I thought I locked my car. I think I do all the time,” Frazier said.
Frazier said she looked through her car, but was not able to find her daughter's ashes. There were two bags from the funeral home, one of which originally contained the ashes. The bags were left, but the ashes were gone.
“I was just devastated. I barely made it to my appointment. I just don’t know how to feel I feel kind of numb," she said. "It feels like living her death all over again.”
Frazier’s daughter Erin was the first baby born on Mother’s Day in 1977. She enjoyed dancing, singing country music, and coloring. Erin participated in the Special Olympics, where her favorite sport was bowling. She passed on March 24 at the age of 46.
Frazier said there are lots of reminders of her throughout her house so she left the ashes in the car so they could talk during car rides.
“She had Down Syndrome, so she was with me from the day she was born. I was never alone. And in the house were all sorts of things that reminded me of her, so I left her in the car 'cause we did lots of stuff, Frazier said. “In the car together we would read license plates and makeup things and so it just felt good to have her there with me when I went out.”
Frazier said after she found out the ashes were taken, she went to her hairdresser at Studio 209, who encouraged her to make posts on social media in an effort to track down the ashes.
Frazier also contacted the Columbia Police Department, who told ABC 17 News that a report was taken.
Multiple neighbors told ABC 17 News that car break-ins are a common occurrence in the neighborhood.
“I know the neighbors next to me their car got broken into the same night,” Frazier said.
Frazier said other belongings were taken from her car, but all she wants back is her daughter's ashes. She is even offering a cash reward and says she won’t press charges if the ashes are returned.
“I really hope this will bring some closure for me,” Frazier said.
If anyone has the ashes, she said they can be returned at Studio 209 located at 601 Business Loop 70 W Suit 209. Anyone with information is also encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 573-875-8477 to leave an anonymous tip.
