‘This is NOT a cemetery!’ Thief leaves a heartless message after stealing a cross honouring a 12-year-old boy who died in a car crash – as the victim’s sister lashes out at the ‘low life’ and pleads for it to be returned
- The sister of a boy killed in car crash took to social media to call out callous thief
- Her brother, Stephen, had his cross resting there for nearly 23 years, since 1996
- The mournful family member said that it was a ‘great shock’ for her grandmother
- ‘We are so angry and upset that someone could do this to someone else family’
- Town rallied support behind the devastated sister, remembering ‘cheeky’ boy
A devastated sister has lashed out at thieves who stole a cross from the intersection her brother was fatally hit by a car more than two decades ago.
Justyn Louise, from Mandurah in Western Australia’s north-west, said the theft had shattered her family, including their grandmother.
Ms Lousie’s brother, Stephen, was 12 at the time of at accident at the corner of Murdoch Drive and Mandurah Road.
His family and friends placed the cross on the roadside, to honour the boy’s short-lived life, where it had laid for nearly 23 years.
‘Some low life has stolen Stephen’s cross,’ she posted on Facebook.
‘We are so angry and upset that someone could do this to someone else’s family.’
A devastated sister has lashed out at thieves who stole a cross (pictured) from the intersection her brother was fatally hit by a car more than two decades ago
Justyn Louise (pictured) took to Facebook to call out callous thieves who stole her brother’s cross
The thieves also left a heartless message on a plank of wood, adding to her and her family’s pain.
‘This is NOT a cemetery – no crosses,’ the note read.
Ms Lousie said the cross had been a tribute to her brother for more than 20 years.
‘Our Brother’s cross has been in this place since 1996,’ she said.
‘As you could imagine it was a great shock for our Grandmother to find it missing. Anyone with information please let me know.’
The local council and main roads department confirmed they did not remove the cross.
The sister in mourning also posted pictures of the callous note that was left at the place where the cross was normally positioned
Close childhood friends of Stephen said the cross was placed in that position to mark where he died.
‘I went to primary school with Stephen and he was unfortunately hit by a car and passed away, when we were in Year 7,’ Cade Brown told Daily Mail Australia.
‘The cross was placed (there) by all his mates (including myself) and his family at the location where he was hit.
‘We all walked… down the road as a large group carrying the cross and placed it on the side of the road… He was a very funny kid, made everyone laugh.’
But she confirmed that the removal of her brother’s cross hadn’t been council action and instead suspects thieves
Another childhood friend of Stephen, Tracy Holdway, remembered her former classmate for his colourful personality.
‘I went to primary school with Stephen… I remember him being cheeky and bubbly,’ Ms Holdway said.
While Stephen’s devastated sister may be without his cross, the town of Mandurah is rallying behind her.
A torrent of supportive messages calling out the disgraceful thieves and sending their remorse for Justyn were left on her post.
‘Geez, what low (lives). Stephen was in my daughter’s class and I came across the accident at the time. Hope it’s returned,’ wrote one Facebook user.
‘Omg who would do this. Stephen was one of the nicest guys,’ another wrote.
Ms Louise thanked those who offered their support, but noted that she just wanted the cross to be returned.
‘Thank you to everyone for sharing and your kind words… all we ask is that it is returned as it means a great deal to so many people,’ she wrote.
Ms Louise thanked those who offered their support, but noted that she just wanted the cross to be returned