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Porch pirate steals package containing father's ashes from daughter's home

Posted at 10:49 PM, Dec 15, 2017
and last updated 2017-12-16 11:23:45-05

While mourning the death of her father, an Arizona woman is now having to struggle with another loss. 

Elyse Brink was expecting a package to arrive at her Tucson home on Tuesday, a package which contained her father's ashes inside an urn. 

When Brink saw the ashes were not outside her home, she immediately began looking around the neighborhood to find it. A neighbor confirmed that the package had been delivered to her home.

"He had seen it dropped off in front (of the house)," Brink said. "That's when I realized that someone had grabbed my package that contained my father's ashes."

That's when Brink contact authorities and the post office. 

The US Postal Inspection Service has since opened an investigation. They say even just one piece of mail stolen can be punishable to up to five years in federal prison. 

They're also offering a reward of $10,000 for information leading to an arrest or conviction. But Brink isn't holding her breath.

"I have low optimism about this, and I understand the reality of the situation," she said. "The chances of him being returned or found are very, very slim."