Did Manatee grave vandals take remains from cemetery? What investigators say
Concerns and speculation surfaced this week about whether vandals removed human remains from graves damaged at a historic Palmetto cemetery.
As they inspected the damage Tuesday, some residents told the Bradenton Herald they feared human remains had been stolen from the gravesite. Manatee County investigators say they have found no evidence that happened.
“At this time there is no indication that any remains were removed from the gravesites,” the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office said Wednesday.
Deputies are investigating vandalism at Old Memphis Cemetery in Palmetto, where investigators say 17 gravesites were damaged with broken headstones, graffiti and damaged concrete.
Some graves and markers had been spray-painted with “Trump” and “Ron DeSantis,” while other headstones were knocked over or broken.
Detectives said evidence indicates at least some of the gravesites were damaged and defaced with spray paint “during or before” March, according to the sheriff’s office.
Deputies investigate cemetery vandalism
No arrests have been made and the investigation remains active, according to the sheriff’s office.
Anyone with information about the vandalism is asked to contact investigators at (941) 747-3011. Anonymous tips can also be submitted to Manatee County Crime Stoppers at 866-634-TIPS or through ManateeCrimeStoppers.com, where tipsters may be eligible for a cash reward.
CrimeStoppers of Manatee County is offering a reward of up to $3,000 for information leading to an arrest, while the Gold Star Club of Manatee County is offering an additional $1,000 reward, investigators said.
