Heartless Con Artists Steal Necklace Containing Ashes of Late Daughter from Elderly Woman in East LA

In a shocking incident that has left a family devastated, con artists targeted a 75-year-old woman in East Los Angeles, stealing a necklace that held the ashes of her late daughter. The necklace, a cherished keepsake, belonged to Esther Guerrero and contained the remains of her daughter, Veronika Garcia, a retired Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy who tragically lost her life in a car accident earlier this year.

The incident occurred on a Monday afternoon when Esther was returning home from shopping. As she walked along the 300 block of South Gerhart Avenue, a couple approached her under the guise of needing directions. The driver asked for help, while a woman in the backseat engaged Esther with a touching story about her own mother being hospitalized, requesting that Esther pray for her.

In a manipulative twist, the woman hugged Esther and draped a cheap necklace around her neck, thanking her for her kindness. It was only moments later that Esther realized her own gold necklace had been stolen in the process. “When she was putting the gold chain on her, she stole her real chain off of her neck,” explained David Guerrero, Esther’s son.

The theft has left the Guerrero family heartbroken. “I don’t care about the chain,” Esther expressed in her anguish. “I want the ashes of my daughter.” Veronika Garcia dedicated her life to serving the community as a deputy, and her ashes were a tangible connection for Esther, making the loss even more profound.

David Guerrero has been vocal about the emotional toll this theft has taken on their family. “My sister’s ashes were there, so that’s why it hurts even more,” he said. The family is now appealing to the public for help, hoping that someone may recognize the vehicle involved in the theft and assist the sheriff’s department in tracking down the culprits.

This incident highlights not only the vulnerability of the elderly but also the depths to which some individuals will sink to exploit that vulnerability. The Guerrero family is holding onto hope that the necklace can be recovered, allowing them to restore a piece of their beloved Veronika’s memory.

As the investigation continues, community members are urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity. The Guerrero family’s heart-wrenching experience serves as a reminder of the importance of looking out for one another, especially those who may be more susceptible to deceitful tactics.