Tips Sought in Cemetery Desecration Case

TAMPA, FL — As the Tampa Police Department continues to investigate the desecration of the Spicola family mausoleum at the Italian Club Cemetery, Crime Stoppers is reminding people there is a $3,000 reward on the line for information that leads to an arrest.

The crime in question occurred between Nov. 11, 2015, and Jan. 12, 2016. Police say a person or people went to the family’s mausoleum at the 3158 N. 26th St. cemetery, broke it open and took two coffins with the remains inside. A third coffin was opened and a skull removed, but the coffin was left behind.

The remains in the stolen coffins belong to Carlo Spicola, who died in 1935, and Maria Juseppa Spicola, who died in 1915, the Tampa Bay Times reported. The coffin broken into, but ultimately left behind, belonged to Rosina Spicola, who died in 1975.

It remains unclear why someone would breaking into the mausoleum and take the remains.

Anyone with information in the case is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-TIPS. Online tips may also be submitted at www.crimestopperstb.com.

Photos courtesy of Crime Stoppers