Remains Stolen from Alameda Church

A backpack containing an urn with human remains was stolen from Alameda's  Saturday afternoon, said an Alameda police sergeant today. 

The backpack, containing the urn and other personal items belonging to the deceased, was stolen from the church's rectory just before 1:30 p.m. as family members prepared for the funeral, said Sgt. Wayland Gee, supervisor for the Alameda Police Department's property crimes unit.

"It was in the widow's backpack with the urn and some other stuff she was carrying to the church for the services," said Gee.

The widow had arrived early to help with some preparations. "Then she went outside to greet family members arriving for the service," said Gee. 

The Rev.  Kathleen M. Crary last saw the backpack at about 1:25 p.m., said Gee. But when the widow came back about five minute later, the backpack was gone. 

"The doors to the church were open, the front doors and side doors were wide open," said Gee. "They searched, they asked everyone, but no one saw anything or heard anything."

Gee says his department will do its best to track down the backpack. 

"I feel for the family," he said, "it’s a terrible, terrible thing to have to deal with under the circumstances."

"We will definitely follow where we can," said Gee, noting that without any witnesses or leads, recovering the remains could be difficult. "Hopefully we'll get a lucky break on it." 

March 8, Editor's note: New details about the family and what happened at the memorial .