A FAMILY has been left shocked and saddened after a fairy statue to honour their mum was stolen from her grave.
Tina Boyles was laid to rest at Colchester Crematorium after she lost her battle with cancer in August 2024 aged just 64.
Known for her love of Tinkerbell, her grave was decorated with fairy statutes, owls and overlooked by windchimes in the trees – all placed there by her husband, Stephen Boyles, 64.
Stephen still visits her grave every Saturday and Sunday after being away during the week for work.
Their daughter Kelly Hopkins, 45, who lives in Colchester, said: “He always used to bring my mum a bunch of flowers on Friday when he got home. Now he puts flowers on her grave.
“It’s a nice place for her to be at rest. I think he finds it a way he still feels close to her.”
The main tribute to Tina at her grave was a large fairy statue, which was bought for about £200 at a garden centre more than a year ago.
Since her passing, Stephen has lovingly tended to his wife’s grave and the treasures left there for her.
But on New Year’s Day, Stephen went to visit and was horrified to discover the main fairy statue was no longer there.
The family believe the statue must have been stolen.
“Obviously, he was very upset,” Kelly said.
“It’s a bit upsetting. You expect to pay your respects and have a quiet moment and find people don’t care and have no respect.
“We’re reluctant to put anything there again and then it happen again.”
While made of concrete, Kelly believes the statue was light enough that one person could have moved it.
The family contacted Colchester Crematorium in case it had been moved by groundskeepers, but there are no cameras to indicate what may have happened – which Kelly feels could act as a deterrent to future would-be thieves.
The statue has not yet been found.
“If anyone has any information, come forward,” Kelly said.
“It’s just if anyone has seen anything or could offer information about where it could be.”
To share any information with the family, contact Kelly via kelly2380@hotmail.co.uk.
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