More Chicago-area families share grave grievances involving Elmo's Tombstone Service over missing, erroneous headstones
Share this @internewscast.com

CHICAGO (WLS) — Families are grappling with unresolved grief as the graves of their loved ones remain unmarked. They assert that they paid a local company but have not received the tombstones.

The ABC7 I-Team first exposed the problem several weeks ago.

In July, the owner promised the I-Team that he would refund four customers highlighted in the first report. Customers claim this has yet to occur, and one has pursued legal action.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

Four more people are now coming forward to the I-Team with their stories of “Tombstone Turmoil.”

“I’m sorry, it just hurts so bad, that you can take from the deceased,” Lenora Davis said. “I mean, how do you live with yourself?”

The sign at Elmo’s Tombstone Services reads “tombstone made while you wait,” yet the grieving families continue to wait, having trusted a well-known headstone provider to commemorate their cherished ones.

“It hurts so bad because I can’t get closure,” customer Eric Banks said. “I scrape, scrape for the money.”

Instead of that closure, they say they paid for broken promises and more heartache.

“She’s probably turning over in the grave,” customer Myra Morris said.

“I still cry every day, every single day,” Banks said. “My mom has no tombstone. It’s coming up on her anniversary next month.”

“We’ve been waiting a year,” Morris expressed. “There’s no closure for my mother, except knowing her resting place beside her mother and brother; otherwise, I wouldn’t know where she is.”

Four customers contacted the I-Team after our initial probe last month into Elmo’s Tombstone Services, which included four other customers.

They also claim they paid the South Side business at the 6000 block of South State Street but never received headstones. They showed receipts indicating full payment, ranging from approximately $1,500 to $4,200. They have been waiting between one to two years.

“It’s a shame. We all are suffering,” customer Crystal Farrow said. “I think about my husband. It just hurts really bad.”

In the July report, the owner Darius Knox said “The customers will receive a full refund. I apologize for the delay in resolving the issue and appreciate your patience. I will ensure it is rectified as soon as possible.”

But a month later, those four customers say they haven’t seen a dime. The I-Team hasn’t heard back from Knox yet about the new consumers.

The business was again closed and locked up on a weekday afternoon.

“I think this is awful,” customer Debra Foster.

In the meantime, Foster, who was featured in the first report, has filed a small claims lawsuit. She’s asking for a $4,000 refund after waiting about a year and four months for a tombstone for her late niece, who was also her adopted daughter.

And this is why I am bringing it to court, because I believe a year and some months is long enough to even just communicate with me about what’s going on,” Foster said. “Our broken promises, on and on and ongoing, isn’t resolving the problem. I think is time to put this to bed.”

Elmo’s Tombstone Services has not commented on the small claims court lawsuit. The I-Team also found seven complaints filed with the Illinois Attorney General, many of them by people who turned to the I-Team.

“You need to be ashamed of yourself, because you just don’t take someone’s money and don’t do anything,” Morris said.

Customers the I-Team talked to say they trusted Elmo’s Tombstone Services because they’ve had good experiences with the business in the past.

According to the Better Business Bureau, the business has been around 65 years, but now has an “F” rating for failing to respond to two complaints.

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Retired Washington state detective who survived on-duty shooting found dead after Montana boating incident

Former Washington State Detective Who Survived On-Duty Shooting Found Dead Following Boating Accident in Montana

A former detective from Washington state, who survived a shooting while on…
Israel says UN misleads world as Gaza aid stolen and diverted from civilians

Israel Accuses UN of Misleading After Gaza Aid Allegedly Stolen and Not Reaching Civilians

As the debate heats up over the delivery of aid into Gaza,…
Alexandra Rosenfeld, Miss France, on the Miss Universe 2006 catwalk.

Beauty Queen Allegedly ‘Headbutted’ by Celebrity Chef Ex with Michelin Star and A-List Clientele

A FORMER Miss Europe beauty queen has claimed her celebrity chef ex-boyfriend…
Alert National Guard Members in D.C. Stop 'Potentially Life-Threatening' Situation (and That's Not All)

National Guard Members in D.C. Avert a Dangerous Situation (But There’s More)

On Thursday night, President Donald Trump personally visited and expressed his gratitude…
Dr. James Dobson speaking at a podium.

James Dobson Dies at 89: Focus on the Family Honors the Christian Leader and Advisor to Five Presidents

An influential evangelical Christian leader who founded a significant parenting ministry and…
ICE arrests illegal immigrant after failed sanctuary attempt at Colorado probation office

ICE Apprehends Undocumented Immigrant Following Unsuccessful Sanctuary Effort at Colorado Probation Office

An illegal immigrant was arrested Tuesday after she tried seeking sanctuary at…
About 600 CDC workers terminated after court clears part of Trump admin restructuring plan

Nearly 600 CDC Employees Let Go Following Court’s Approval of Trump Administration’s Restructuring Efforts

Approximately 600 employees at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention…
DC has murder-free week as AG Bondi touts 77 more arrests in federal takeover

DC Experiences Murder-Free Week Amid AG Bondi Celebrating 77 Additional Arrests in Federal Initiative

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) in Washington, D.C. informed Fox News Digital…
Florida must stop expanding ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ immigration center, judge says

Judge Orders Florida to Halt Expansion of ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ Immigration Facility

A federal judge in Miami has issued a preliminary injunction to stop…
Sounds Like They're Cracking: Texas Democrat Gene Wu's Latest Whine Is One for the Books

High-Stakes Drama as Texas House Decides on New Redistricting Maps

On Wednesday, the Texas House Democrats’ effort to stall the passage of…
Trail grows cold in manhunt for survivalist father as authorities reach breaking point: 'I'm still angry'

Fresh Crime Scene Insights Unveiled in Search for Father Accused of Killing Three Daughters

Authorities have released new details in the manhunt for the Washington father…
School District 211 meeting gets heated over debate on transgender Conant High School volleyball player

Tensions Rise at School District 211 Meeting Over Transgender Volleyball Player at Conant High School

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. (WLS) — Suburban residents voiced their concerns at a meeting…