Grave Theft in Chapman Township; Reward Offered

CHAPMAN TOWNSHIP — A former Renovo resident is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the party responsible for the theft of her father’s ashes and tombstone from St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Hyner.

Lucretia Cozzi Dawson, now residing in Costa Rica, contacted The Record about the theft of the remains of her late father, Raymond Cozzi. The Renovo man passed away at the age of 77 in May of this year and the urn containing his ashes was placed in the cemetery that month.

After returning to Costa Rica, his daughter returned to Clinton County for placement of his headstone on September 27. She subsequently learned the headstone was discovered stolen on October 11 and the urn was dug up and removed last Sunday, November 13.

Dawson said she has a concern the theft is family-related and has contacted state police who are investigating.