Man Charged For Stealing Urns, Dumping Ashes

Alan R. Smith, Jr.

Hamilton County Sheriff's Office

(Cincinnati, Oh.) - A Harrison man is accused of stealing 20 urns from his former employer, sometimes dumping out the human ashes inside.

 

Alan R. Smith, Jr. was fired last month from the Hillside Chapel and Cincinnati Cremation Company in Cincinnati, the Enquirer reports.

 

Investigators allege after his firing, he took the bronze urns valued at $1,200 a piece, an air conditioning unit, and copper wiring. The stolen items were then sold as scrap.

 

Smith is charged with theft, vandalism and desecration. More charges could be filed against him soon, investigators said.

 

The dumped ashes - those of people who died in the 1960s and 1970s - were contained in bags marked for identification. They will be returned to new urns.

 

Hillside Chapel is working to notify the families whose loved ones remains were disturbed.

 

Smith will be arraigned in Hamilton County Municipal Court at 9:00 a.m. Wednesday.

 

More from Local News

Events

Voters Reject Southwest Local Schools Tax Levy

The school district expects to see a funding decrease for the upcoming fiscal year.

Dearborn Co. Sheriff's Office Reports Paving Scam

The scammers are claiming to be with the Dearborn County Highway Department.

A Summer of STREAM Returns to Southeastern Indiana

In June and July, a variety of co-curricular STREAM camps will be available for students entering grades 5-8.

Personal Branding Activities Approvied, High School Basketball Shot Clock Proposal Fails

The Board of Directors voted on both measures this week.

Local Sports Report - May 4, 2026

Report missing stats and scores to news@eaglecountryonline.com

On Air

Chelsie playing
Kenny Chesney - Kenny Chesney - I Go Back - Eagle Only

Megan Moroney Beautiful Things 9:44
Bellamy Brothers Redneck Girl 9:40
Luke Bryan Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset 9:37
Brooks & Dunn Rock My World [Little Country Girl] 9:33