Emotional plea from daughter of Bury man whose ashes were stolen
Nigel Hill's ashes were taken, alongside a number of power tools
Last updated 2nd Nov 2023
On Tuesday 19 September 2023, Greater Manchester Police were called to reports of a burglary on Brandlesholme Road, Bury.
It was confirmed that Nigel Hill's ashes were taken, alongside a number of power tools.
Nigel's daughter, Sarah, said: "There's no closure now. We were going to spread his ashes at Woodbank Cricket Club... We can't do that now... That was his final wish.
"Not one member of the family can settle now.
"My mum's heartbroken, she was married to my dad for nearly 50 years, they had a wonderful life. She saw my dad go through horrendous pain with the cancer that he had and he put up such a brave fight.
"We've lost him twice now, it's that heartbreak over and over again."
Sarah has this plea: "Just leave my Dad somewhere, with a note, nothing more. Please.
"For anybody who knows who this person is, whose taken my dad... Just find it in your heart to go 'no, you've overstepped the line now.' Just do the right thing, please!"
The family have released the following statement: “Earlier this year, I lost my husband Nigel to pancreatic cancer after being married for nearly fifty years.
“Nigel’s death has completely devastated our family, and to say we are heartbroken would be an understatement.
“On Tuesday 19 September 2023, I discovered that the garage at the rear of our home had been broken into and a number of power tools had been stolen from inside. Also stolen from inside the garage, from the wooden workbench, were Nigel’s ashes.
“Nigel’s ashes were in a mint green coloured box, inside a burgundy coloured tote bag.
“Nigel spent the majority of his time in the garage, he was a passionate handyman who would turn his hands to absolutely anything and loved spending time at his workbench. When we received Nigel’s ashes, we decided as a family that we would place them on his wooden workbench in the garage, as this is where he loved to be, and where he was his happiest.
“One of Nigel’s last wishes was that he wanted to have his ashes scattered at Woodbank Cricket Club. A place which held a special place in his heart, he loved spending time here.
“As a family, we decided that we would wait until the cricket season was over to scatter Nigel’s ashes, and now the season is over, we cannot fulfil his wishes as someone has stolen them from us.
“I am appealing to the local community and the people of Bury, and I ask that anyone with any knowledge of this crime come forward with information. There must be someone who knows or has any information about this.
“I am not interested in the return of the power tools, all I want is for my husband’s ashes to be returned to us, so as a family we can fulfil his last wish and lay him to rest.
“I have already lost my husband, and now I have lost him for a second time.”
Greater Manchester Police are urging people to come forward quoting log 2738 of 19/09/23.
Alternatively, people can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers - anonymously – on 0800 555 111.