Over 50 Gravesites Vandalized in Colorado Cemetery

A cemetery in Colorado was recently vandalized resulting in over 50 grave markers being damaged.

The vandalism was discovered on Wednesday, June 9th, at the Crystal Valley Cemetery in the town of Manitou Springs, located just west of Colorado Springs in El Paso County.

The City of Manitou Springs' Parks and Recreation and Public Works crews discovered the damage and immediately alerted authorities. Manitou Springs Police and the City of Manitou Springs are currently investigating the situation hoping to find leads as to who is responsible for the damage.

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In addition to the 50 plus gravestones and monuments that were toppled over and/or broken, police have said that a significant amount of trash was left behind, as well as evidence that the vandals started a fire at the cemetery.

Manitou Springs Interim Chief of Police Bill Otto had this to say about the tragic and senseless incident:

 It is disheartening to see such disregard and damage towards the memories of our community’s loved ones. We have heightened our patrols around the Cemetery and are urging anybody with information to anonymously contact the Pikes Peak Area Crime Stoppers, where they could receive a cash reward.

The damages to the gravestones, monuments, and the cost to clean up the other forms of vandalism at the Crystal Valley Cemetery have been estimated to be roughly $25,000.

Crews employed by the city of Manitou Springs are currently working on restoring the cemetery as well as reaching out to family and loved ones of the deceased whose grave markers have been damaged. Unfortunately, it would seem that many of them are beyond repair.

[Fox31News]