A 60-year-old neighbor from Avilés (Asturias) was arrested on Saturday after police discovered that he had removed the flowers from his mother’s grave, removed the tombstone, and broken the brick wall inside to extract the coffin. He then dragged the coffin to his car and took it, along with the deceased body, back to his home. The man, who has been released, was reportedly deeply affected by his mother’s sudden death and desecrated the grave to ensure that she was truly dead. This shocking incident took place at the San Cristóbal cemetery in Avilés with several witnesses urging the distraught son to stop. Despite their pleas, he took his deceased mother to his house, shouting that she had been taken away without his permission. The woman, who was 90 years old, died on Christmas Eve and was buried on the same day.
The parish priest of La Carriona alerted the National Police about the situation, leading to the man’s arrest at his home where he was with his mother’s body. The coffin with the woman’s body was returned to the parish cemetery, resealed in the corresponding grave. However, shortly after, the coffin was removed again by judicial order and taken to the funeral home. The judge in charge of the Court of First Instance and Instruction number 7 of Avilés requested the identification, record, and photos of the body at La Carriona’s premises by the Scientific Police. Afterward, he ordered the man to be taken to San Agustín Hospital, where the psychiatric department deemed that his admission was not necessary. The man was then placed in the care of the National Police as a detainee and later appeared before the duty court, which granted his release after hearing his explanations.
The arrested man confessed that he had only wanted to ensure that his mother was dead, expressing remorse for his actions and pledging not to repeat similar acts on the grave that he will be allowed to visit. However, he was warned that measures would be taken against him if he were to commit a similar offense against his mother’s tomb in the future. The woman’s body was returned to her niche on Sunday, and the investigation continues for a possible crime of desecration of a grave.
The incident in the San Cristóbal cemetery in Avilés shocked witnesses and residents in the area, with the man’s extreme actions revealing the depth of his grief over his mother’s sudden passing. Despite his emotional distress, the man’s decision to desecrate his mother’s grave was met with disbelief and condemnation from those present, highlighting the anguish and confusion he experienced following her death. The subsequent involvement of the police and judicial authorities led to his arrest, followed by his release pending further investigation and possible legal consequences for violating the sanctity of his mother’s resting place.
The case of the man from Avilés who moved his mother’s coffin to his home as a result of his intense mourning and desire to confirm her death will likely prompt discussions about mental health support for individuals dealing with grief and loss. The incident serves as a reminder of the profound impact of losing a loved one suddenly and the importance of seeking appropriate channels for processing emotions and seeking closure. As the community grapples with the aftermath of this disturbing event, the need for compassion, understanding, and mental health resources for those in distress becomes evident in addressing and preventing similar occurrences in the future. The ongoing investigation into the desecration of the grave underscores the consequences of extreme actions taken in moments of distress and the legal considerations surrounding such offenses.
