What began as a heart-wrenching violation for a Chestermere family has ended in a moment of profound relief. Just days after their home was ransacked and their mother’s cremated remains were stolen, the Thompson family has been reunited with their most precious “un-valuable.”
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The Theft of a Legacy
On January 6, 2026, thieves broke into the Thompson home in the Cove community of Chestermere. While they made off with standard electronics and tools, they also took a small red velvet bag. To the thieves, it may have looked like a pouch for jewelry; to Deanna Thompson and her family, it contained the remains of their mother, Anna Thompson, who had passed away just weeks prior.
The family’s public plea was simple: Keep the iPads, keep the tools, but please return our mother.
The Mysterious Note
The breakthrough came on Friday, January 9, at a Calgary funeral home. Staff discovered the red velvet bag sitting by a maintenance door. Tucked inside was a note claiming the ashes had been “found in an alleyway” and asking the home to return them to the rightful owners.
Fast Facts: The Investigation
| Status | Details |
| Suspects | Two males caught on CCTV; still at large. |
| Suspect Descriptions | One in a white hard hat/blue overalls; one in white sweatpants/dark jacket. |
| Vehicle | A white SUV was seen in the area during the time of the burglary. |
| Recovery | Only the remains were returned; other valuables are still missing. |
