Leitchfield, Ky. Sep 18: The search is on for a man who broke into a Kentucky funeral home and dressed in a dead man’s clothes.
The nephew of the man whose clothing and jewelry were stolen said he couldn’t believe what happened. “It’s mind-blowing,” Darrell Knight said. “I just can’t imagine that somebody would do something like this. You know, to go into a funeral home and take something away from a deceased man.” Knight laid his uncle to rest on Friday.
“I can’t even imagine it,” he said of the burglary. Surveillance video from inside the funeral home shows the man rummaging through cabinets before digging through clothes meant for the deceased. “I can’t imagine that somebody would break into a funeral home,” Knight said. “Not only that, (but) get undressed and then walk around inside the funeral home.”
The video shows the man removing his clothes, then putting on clothing belonging to the deceased. Police said the clothing was being stored in an office before the funeral. The video also shows the man sitting down in a chair and nodding off for a nap. “I want this guy to get caught,” Knight said. “I really do.” The funeral director said the man was inside the building for at least three and a half hours.
Leitchfield police said in addition to the clothing and jewelry, the man stole an iPod, PlayStation3, flat-screen TV and the keys to the hearse. “I can’t see anyone in their right mind wanting to do this,” Leitchfield Police Detective Kevin Smith said. Smith said detectives believe the man who broke into the funeral home may have also been involved in an incident at the nearby Walmart. “You can still turn yourself in,” Smith said. “We’re going to catch you. It’s just a matter of time.”
Knight said he hopes the man who stole his uncle’s things takes the advice from police.
“We’re praying for him,” Knight said. “But I’d like to see him turn himself in or if somebody knows who he is, turn him in.” Police said the man in the surveillance video has a large tattoo on his left shoulder.
- Wdsu.com