Woman relives loss of husband after thieves take remains

Thieves also took cash, other valuables

SAN ANTONIO – A woman is grieving once again after she said someone broke into her home and made away with her husband’s ashes.

The alleged thief or thieves stole other valuables, but the family said it is most concerned with getting its loved one’s remains back.

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Memories, a few pictures and mementos of Josephine Duckett’s late husband, Andre Spivey, are all that’s left from their marriage.

“I’ve been with my husband 17 years. Never been robbed or anything,” she said.

Duckett said between 2 p.m.-2:45 p.m. Thursday while she, her sister, daughter and two grandchildren were away, someone ransacked their mobile home and took more than $1,000 in rent money, a 55-inch television, a computer, pain medication and other belongings, including the ashes.

“They might have thought it was a nice antique box and didn't look at it, just took it, but it was my husband’s ashes in there,” Duckett said.

Duckett’s husband died in 2015 of cancer. Since then, she moved into a Northeast Side mobile home park which is usually quiet. She’s now forced to deal with losing the love of her life all over again.

“It’s devastating because that’s irreplaceable,” she said.

Duckett is disabled and doesn’t have much. And while the losses will hurt them financially, the family members said the material things can be replaced.

"I don't care about anything else just bring us the ashes. If you want to drop it off in the office, whatever, just bring us that back, because that’s something you can’t replace,” said Amy Hurtado, Duckett’s sister.

“Please, whoever has it, please return it back to me,” Duckett said.

Duckett said San Antonio police dusted for fingerprints and are investigating.

The family is looking into a new place to live. It is asking anyone with information to come forward and call police. 


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