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Devastated son pleads for return of parents’ ashes stolen from van in Bonnington, near Ashford

A devastated son has pleaded for the return of his mother’s and stepfather’s ashes after they were stolen from his van.

Geoff Florence said the theft of the urn from a lane in a village near Ashford has left him feeling heartbroken.

Geoff Florence, pictured with his mum Judy, says he has been left heartbroken after his mother’s and stepdad’s ashes were stolen from his van. Picture: Geoff Florence
Geoff Florence, pictured with his mum Judy, says he has been left heartbroken after his mother’s and stepdad’s ashes were stolen from his van. Picture: Geoff Florence

Mr Florence and his wife had recently sold their home in Maidstone and are staying in Bonnington while preparing to retire to Spain in early 2025.

The couple had been moving their belongings into an Airbnb they are renting on Cherry Orchard Lane and the ashes were left in a bag for life inside the van.

But they were taken from the vehicle which was parked in the road in the early hours of Saturday.

Mr Florence lost his mother, Judy Duval, last year and his stepfather, John Duval, in 2012.

“I’ll never forgive myself for not bringing them inside with me,” said the 59-year-old.

“The ashes were in a beautiful oak box, the kind that might look like a jewellery box to someone who didn’t know.

The ashes were stolen from inside this van in Cherry Orchard Lane, Bonnington. Picture: Geoff Florence
The ashes were stolen from inside this van in Cherry Orchard Lane, Bonnington. Picture: Geoff Florence

“My mum always kept my stepdad’s ashes in her bedroom, bless her, with the intention that when she passed away, they would be mixed together.

“She knew we were always planning to retire to Spain, and her wish was: ‘Mix us up and stick me in the sun’.”

The theft came as a shock to Geoff and his wife, who described the area in Bonnington as a “quiet and secluded” location.

He told KentOnline no other items were taken from the vehicle.

Mr Florence is now pleading for the ashes to be returned to the family so they can “honour” his mum's wish.

He added: “It’s hard now that I haven’t even got her with me.

“It’s just crippling me at the moment. I can’t stop thinking about it.

“The ashes were something we always intended to take with us to honour her final wishes.

“Just leave them somewhere they can be found. We just want them back.”

A police spokesperson said: “It was reported that the window of a van parked in Cherry Orchard Lane, Bonnington, near Ashford had been damaged on Saturday, December 14 and items had been stolen from inside.

“Officers attended and enquiries were carried out at the scene.”

Anyone with information should contact police on 01843 222289 quoting 46/211658/24.

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