Investigators called to Greenfield Cemetery
Lead Summary
By
Brandy Chandler-brandychandler@gmail.com
The Greenfield Police Department and the Highland County Sheriff's Office were called to the Greenfield Cemetery Tuesday afternoon after construction crews, who were working to tear down a crumbling mausoleum, encountered a casket that had not been recorded by the city.
According to Greenfield Police Chief Tim Hester, the workers encountered a casket that "was, essentially, a plywood box."
Hester said investigators were called in, as was Highland County Coroner Dr. Paul Terrell, and it was ultimately determined that the body within the casket had "been previously exhumed and was interred to the mausoleum, unbeknownst to the city."
Hester said at the time the body was reinterred, the city did not own the mausoleum and therefore would not necessarily have been apprised of the situation.
The previously private mausoleum had been turned over to the city after the family who owned it could no longer afford its upkeep. Because the structure was in deterioration and considered a danger, the city determined it was cheaper to raze the building rather than spend city funds toward its upkeep and refurbishment.
The more-than-30 bodies that were interred in the mausoleum are now being buried in the Greenfield Cemetery.[[In-content Ad]]
According to Greenfield Police Chief Tim Hester, the workers encountered a casket that "was, essentially, a plywood box."
Hester said investigators were called in, as was Highland County Coroner Dr. Paul Terrell, and it was ultimately determined that the body within the casket had "been previously exhumed and was interred to the mausoleum, unbeknownst to the city."
Hester said at the time the body was reinterred, the city did not own the mausoleum and therefore would not necessarily have been apprised of the situation.
The previously private mausoleum had been turned over to the city after the family who owned it could no longer afford its upkeep. Because the structure was in deterioration and considered a danger, the city determined it was cheaper to raze the building rather than spend city funds toward its upkeep and refurbishment.
The more-than-30 bodies that were interred in the mausoleum are now being buried in the Greenfield Cemetery.[[In-content Ad]]