Two ornaments have disappeared from his daughter’s grave and Don Schwass would like people to keep an eye out for them.
He told Te Puke News that they have a lot of sentimental value for the family and he would like to see them returned.
His daughter Leilani’s grave is in the New Te Puke Cemetery.
Schwass said he visited just before her September 6 birthday and the ornaments – a deer and fawn, and a kingfisher – had disappeared.
His wife, Lesley, had a look around the cemetery and couldn’t find them.
The deer and fawn had recently been cleaned up and repainted by Schwass and two of his granddaughters.
“Someone may have seen them in someone’s garden. They are not in the cemetery or on another grave,” he said.
The grave is in the children’s section of the cemetery.
He said the ornaments are of sentimental value to the family and it is upsetting they have disappeared.
Schwass said if they have been taken, then “I just think it’s a bit low”.
Anyone who may have seen the ornaments can get in touch with the family via email: [email protected]
3 comments
Lowest of the low!
Posted on 17-10-2025 11:54 | By Ben Dover
Which vile pathetic excuse for a human being would do this?
Shameless
Posted on 17-10-2025 16:08 | By Thats Nice
Now the low life's are stealing from a cemetery. More cameras required. Such a sad country having to have cameras everywhere, but this is the society we now all live in.
Ground zero
Posted on 21-10-2025 12:23 | By morepork
This theft is even lower than mindless vandalism, in my book. I can understand the mental debility that causes people to want to smash stuff or deface it; it's a mental illness and can be understood, even if not condoned.
But to be SO self-centred as to see only "something I want to have" and never even care about the personal distress this will cause to a grieving family is simply beyond the pale. Total disrespect, total egocentrism, total inconsideration. Good luck with such a life.
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