In a distressing turn of events, a small South Australian town is reeling from the shocking theft of plaques from graves in the local cemetery. Quorn, located approximately 39 kilometers northeast of Port Augusta, became the scene of this unsettling crime, with about 84 brass plaques stolen, leaving families heartbroken and seeking answers.

Discovered by visitors on a Friday morning, the theft has sent ripples of grief and anger through the community. Local resident Kathy stumbled upon the vandalized graves during a visit to the cemetery on Saturday. She described the scene with a heavy heart.

“My sister and I came to check on our parents’ graves and my husband’s as well, and then I saw this,” Kathy lamented. “It’s truly heartbreaking. Such acts shouldn’t happen. Let the departed rest in peace.”

In a moment of relief amidst the turmoil, Holly and her grandmother Yvonne hurried to the cemetery, fearing the worst. To their immense relief, they found that the grave of Yvonne’s late husband, Samuel, had not been disturbed.

The theft has stirred a profound sense of loss and violation among the townsfolk, highlighting the need for respect and sanctity in places meant for eternal rest. As the community grapples with the emotional fallout, the search for the culprits continues, with hopes that justice will prevail and such incidents are prevented in the future.

Holly and her grandmother Yvonne rushed to the cemetery but were relieved to find the grave of Yvonne’s deceased husband Samuel untouched.

‘It’s disgusting what people have done out here. I don’t know how another person can do this to somebody,’ Holly said.

Yvonne added: ‘I’m very grateful that they haven’t touched my husband’s grave.’

SA Police are investigating the theft of plaques and that the matter was under investigation.

Visitors to the town cemetery in Quorn, about 39km northeast of Port Augusta, discovered on Friday morning that about 84 brass plaques had been taken

Local Kathy said the incident was heartbreaking and that people should be left to rest

Council officials said they are confident thieves carried out their plan overnight using tools

The thieves allegedly carried out their plan overnight with a hammer, a chisel, or a battery-operated tool to ‘smash’ the plaques off their mountings, according to Flinders Ranges Council mayor Ken Anderson.

‘The ones around the memorial garden, nearly all of them are gone,’ he told Daily Mail.

‘The plaques are gone. They’ve damaged other ones, trying to get them off the headstones. They’ve removed some off headstones – big, small or medium-sized.

‘The community is just devastated (that) some low-life (has) come and done this to line their own pockets. It is just the lowest of low.

‘This is just a little bit beyond belief that somebody would do this with no care, thought, or concern for those around them.’

Mr Anderson said the thefts had been done for monetary gain, adding: ‘Brass is worth a fair bit in the recycling industry.’ 

‘We’re sure of that because they haven’t touched anything else. They’ve just gone for the brass plaques,’ he said. 

He said the council has tried to reach out to any company or individual that recycles metals like brass and copper.

Holly and her grandmother Yvonne were relieved her grandfather Samuel’s grave was intact

Police said they are investigating the matter

Flinders Ranges Council mayor Ken Anderson said the brass plaques were taken to be sold on

‘These things will probably be cut up, but they’re still fairly identifiable and would take a while for someone to melt them down in a backyard,’ he said.

The cemetery does not have CCTV because it is a secluded, peaceful spot for the small community.

However, Mr Anderson said officials are confident the incident happened overnight, as a council member discovered the damage during an early morning walk on Friday.

Staff then spent most of the day making the unfortunate calls to those affected using their records. 

Once everyone has been contacted, the local authority will move on to the next step of repairing the graves and replacing the plaques.

SA Police have asked anyone who might have information to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.