A Kansas City family is heartbroken and searching for answers after discovering that the grave of a loved one, buried nearly three decades ago, was violently desecrated.
According to reports, the grave of Delshon Dupriest, who was murdered in 1998 at the age of 25, was found disturbed at Forest Hills Cavalry Cemetery on the morning of July 8. Kansas City police arrived at the scene around 9:30 a.m. to find that the concrete crypt had been destroyed and Dupriest’s casket had been opened.
“It was like somebody had just dug it up,” said Dupriest’s mother, Jamesetta Blandhood. “It looked like they had put dynamite and just blew it open.”
The family is in shock, especially since Dupriest has been buried for 27 years. He left behind nine children, and relatives say they can’t understand who would go to such lengths after so much time.
“What did I feel? My heart sank because I couldn’t believe it,” said Shonterra Dupriest, his daughter. “They were at the casket. We could see the sheets and everything that would have been inside his casket.”
The Kansas City Police Department is actively investigating the incident. Detectives collected evidence and interviewed witnesses at the scene. Police said the cemetery’s owners were present and stated they had no involvement but would fully cooperate with the investigation.
Authorities also noted that a cemetery gate had been broken and believe the suspect may have used a vehicle to ram through it.
Dupriest’s mother is still trying to make sense of the disturbing act.
“I don’t know if they were looking for something or think he had something, but after 27 years, who would do this?” she said. “Who hates him so badly that they would just tear up his grave like that?”
Police have not yet identified any suspects or provided a motive. The investigation is ongoing.
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