A family have been left devastated after the headstone marking their parents’ gravesite at the Katanning Pioneer Cemetery was vandalised and destroyed.
Stef Bourke said she received a call on February 16 — her mother’s birthday — from a friend who had visited the dual grave of her mother, Anna Tindara Bajramovic, and father, Dzevad Bajramovic, and discovered the damage.
The site appears to be the only grave targeted in the cemetery.
Ms Bourke said the damage has left her family shocked and she has reported the crime to local police.
“I just want answers,” she said.
“I’m just wanting the police to make sure that they won’t sweep it under the carpet and I am hoping they find leads as to who did this.”
Ms Bourke said she is struggling to come to terms with the incident.
“I have no words,” she said.
“I think my parents deserved a hell of a lot better than this to happen.
“I just want the person that did this to see the destruction and what it’s done to our family.
“It’s just heartbreaking.“
Only a few items and memorabilia from the gravesite were able to be saved.
Katanning shire president Kristy D’Aprile said such offences rarely happen in the town.
“I am very disappointed this has happened,” she said.
“It is unusual — we rarely hear of occurrences of vandalism at our cemetery.
“I express my condolences to the family it has happened to and we recognise it is a sacred place.
“We’re very disappointed it has happened in our community.”
WA Police confirmed they are investigating the incident and ask anyone with information or footage regarding the incident to contact Crime Stoppers on their website or at 1800 333 000.
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