When Lynda Watt and her family returned home from a holiday in Greece in the early hours of Friday morning, the holiday vibe was quickly replaced by worry – when the family's four suitcases were stolen from their car.
The cases were filled with holiday clothes and gifts, but more than that, they also included the ashes of Lynda's father, and a fold-up wheelchair belonging to her daughter, who has Digeorge Syndrome and relies on the chair for mobility.
“My first thought was 'My dad is in the case,” Lynda told MKFM.
“My daughter's luggage also included a card from the Easyjet pilot for her first flight, and she had handpicked gifts for everyone. I had to try to explain that we can't get those back, which she didn't really understand.”
Lynda's father, Graham, passed away in 2021, and the family take him with them wherever they go – it gives them peace having him still be a part of family events.
“I know they wouldn't have known that dad was in the cases when they took them, but that didn't make it any easier.
“I was so worried about my daughter's wheelchair too, everything else is replaceable,” she said.
Lynda took to social media to ask for help, and people came forward to say that some of her family's clothing was found scattered close by, which was retrieved.
Importantly, the wheelchair had also been discarded by the thieves.
“It was of no use to anyone else, and was found in one piece, which was a huge relief.”
But her father's ashes were still missing.
The two thieves had been spotted on the Kingsmead estate checking cars and properties for some time before Lynda was targeted.
But it seems they have some conscience – just less than 24 hours after the theft, the urn was left on the doorstep.
“I shouldn't have left the car unlocked, but I can't change that. I am just so relieved that dad is back,” she told us.
“All I can do now is laugh about it. Knowing dad, when the cases were taken he would have thought, 'Where am I off to now?'
“He's back home, that's all that matters.”
