The family of former Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Deputy Marcelo Esteban Garcia has voiced their anguish following a series of thefts at Memorial Oaks Cemetery in west Houston. Authorities report that a woman was captured on surveillance footage stealing memorial items from cremation niches.
According to the Harris County Precinct 5 Constable’s Office, the thefts occurred between late May and June 6, with at least three niches targeted. The family, devastated by the loss of cherished items from their loved one’s resting place, is now seeking justice as investigators work to identify the suspect.
Diana Garcia, Marcelo’s sister, has come forward after realizing that one of the niches broken into belonged to her late brother. The mausoleum, located at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home and Cemetery along the Katy Freeway, was the scene of this distressing violation.
Footage shows the suspect navigating through the mausoleum, using a tool to pry open the cremation niches and remove personal belongings left by grieving family members. Alarmingly, a toddler was also seen near the scene during the incident.
The first theft was reported in late May, followed by another on June 6. While investigators are currently aware of three niches that were targeted, they believe there may be additional victims yet to come forward.
Marcelo Esteban Garcia, who tragically passed away in a motorcycle accident on his 35th birthday last year, is remembered fondly by his family. Diana recounted the significance of the items stolen, including a rosary placed by their mother and a necklace that Marcelo wore on the night of his death. “There was a hole left in our lives when he passed away, and now it’s like we go look at his niche and there’s a hole in his niche now,” she shared, reflecting the deep emotional impact of the theft.
The family expressed that the news of the theft has reopened old wounds. “It’s almost like it’s reopening a wound that never really closed,” Diana explained, highlighting the pain of their loss compounded by this violation.
In response to the thefts, Memorial Oaks Funeral Home and Cemetery expressed their sorrow and commitment to collaborating with the Harris County Precinct 5 Constable’s Office to address the situation. A spokesperson stated, “We are saddened that cemeteries and gravesites have been targeted in these thefts.” They have pledged to assist in the ongoing investigations.
Authorities have described the suspect as a white woman aged between 30 and 45, with dark hair and glasses, and noted that she has several tattoos on her back.
Anyone with information regarding this case is urged to contact the Harris County Precinct 5.
