Police hunt for ashes of stillborn twins stolen from Epsom house

Thieves stole trinket box containing ashes of stillborn babies from Fiona Grove's Epsom home on June 19. Photo / Michael Craig

Police are still searching for the thieves who stole the ashes of stillborn twins.

The ashes were stolen in a burglary from Fiona Grove's home on St Andrew's Rd in Epsom on June 19 while she and her partner were at work between 9am and 6.30pm.

She appealed to the thieves yesterday to "return my babies to me".

"I will literally do anything to get them home to me...I'm hoping this post will be shared and someone will find it in their hearts to return my babies to me," Grove posted to Facebook.

The ashes were kept in a trinket box similar to this.

The offenders stole a pair of headphones, her passport, a Fitbit watch and some jewellery, including a silver swimming medal won by her great-grandfather. But she only wanted the ashes back which were kept in a little satin pouch inside a small, heart-shaped trinket box.

The box was kept on a tallboy in her bedroom and could have been mistaken for a jewellery box, she said.

The twins died at 19 weeks gestation only months after she got married in 1998. The tragedy was picked up during a routine ultrasound which found no heartbeat in either of the babies.

Grove has since had two daughters, aged 17 and 15.

A police spokeswoman said they hoped they could reunite the distraught mother with the ashes of her twin babies.

Sergeant Matt Smith said the ashes were in a jewellery box and it is possible the offenders did not realise what was in it.

"Having your home burgled is absolutely traumatising let alone to lose something with such sentimental value. Police are hoping that someone will know who was responsible and will encourage them to do the right thing and return the ashes.

"This is yet another example of the impact burglary has on hard working members of the community, who do not deserve to come home from work and find that some opportunistic offender has been through their home."

Police have conducted a forensic scene examination at the address but are asking for anyone who can assist the investigation team to contact Sergeant Matt Smith on 09 302 6400.

Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. You can also send Police a private message on Facebook.