Stolen plaque and urn with human ashes found on Lincolnton roadside

A cemetery plaque and granite slab containing human ashes that were stolen from a Lincolnton cemetery were found near a bridge Friday evening, the sheriff’s office said.

Deputies had searched for the items all day Friday when a passing motorist found most of the stolen items off Magnolia Grove Road.

The thieves had completely removed the slab containing cremated remains of Trudy Bumgarner, leaving a hole in the ground and a bronze flower vase, said sheriff’s detective Kelly Paris.

The only item not recovered was a gold wedding band, Paris said.

No arrests had been made as of yet.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office at 704-732-9050, the Lincoln County Communications Center at 704-735-8202 or Crime Stoppers at 704-736-8909.. David Perlmutt

This story was originally published July 24, 2015 at 9:24 PM with the headline "Stolen plaque and urn with human ashes found on Lincolnton roadside."