Headstones vandalized in Whiteville cemetery
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WHITEVILLE, Tenn. — Headstones from the 1800s are vandalized at Melrose Cemetery in Whiteville. Investigators said the headstones were discovered Tuesday morning by a grounds crew. “It’s hard to tell at this point if it was one person, juveniles or if it was adults,” Whiteville Police Chief Steven Stanley said. Police said there are no suspects at this time and that a $750 reward is up for grabs for information leading to an arrest and conviction. “I think it’s horrible,” Mallory Taylor said after hearing about the damage. “I don’t see how someone could vandalize a cemetery of all things. It’s just not right.” Stanley said about four headstones were turned over. No other damage has been noticed at this time. “I don’t really understand what would cause someone to vandalize a cemetery,” Stanley said about a lack of motive in the crime. “There’s really no specific reason to do it.” Investigators will begin getting estimates for repairs and trying to contact family members of those buried in the grounds. “But you do run into issues sometimes, especially with some of those that date back to the 1800s,” Stanley said. Costs could be covered by the city’s budget. “That way it’ll give families a peace of mind and hopefully get everything fixed and back to the way it was,” Taylor said. If you have information about the vandalism, contact the Whiteville Police Department at 731-254-8523.
