Montreal police (SPVM) are trying to reunite families with jewelry and other valuable items recovered during an investigation into alleged theft from funeral homes across the region.
The SPVM says a man and woman were arrested on May 14 as part of an investigation into multiple break-ins at funeral centres in Montreal, Laval, the North Shore and Saint-Hyacinthe.
Investigators allege the suspects forced open funeral niches and stole jewelry and other valuables placed with the deceased.
Police identified the suspects as Christina Loubounakis, 50, and André Diderot Gustave, 49.
According to the SPVM, Loubounakis is a white woman standing about 1.70 metres tall and weighing approximately 90 kilograms. She has brown eyes and black hair, usually tied back.
Gustave is described as a Black man standing about 1.85 metres tall and weighing approximately 110 kilograms. He has black eyes and a shaved head.
Police believe many families may not yet be aware that their loved one’s niche was targeted and are urging them to inspect burial sites and report any thefts to local authorities.
The SPVM says numerous pieces of jewelry were recovered during the investigation, and officers are now working to identify their rightful owners and return the items to affected families.
Families who believe they may have been victims are encouraged to provide the name of the deceased, a detailed description of any missing items, photographs if available, the name of the funeral home, the niche number and an approximate timeframe for the theft.
Anyone who discovers a theft from a columbarium or mausoleum is asked to contact the police service in the jurisdiction where the incident occurred. In Montreal, reports can be made through their local police station.
The investigation remains ongoing.
