A Canadian family appealed for the return of an urn containing a loved one’s ashes after it was stolen during a home break-in in Chestermere, Alberta. According to Global News, Anna Thompson died at the age of 74 before Christmas, and her ashes were among the items taken from her son’s home on a Tuesday morning, days before her funeral on 17 January. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) made a compassionate appeal for their return and sought two male suspects. In an update dated 9 January 2026, the RCMP said the ashes had been safely returned to the family.






What was stolen during the Canadian family’s home break-in




According to the family, the house was broken into on a Tuesday morning. The outlet said the thieves entered through the backyard, forced open a back door and left with several items, including an iPad, money and tools. The family realised only later in the day that the ashes were also missing.




The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) said in a news release dated 8 January 2026 that officers responded on 6 January to a report of a break and enter at a residence in the Cove community of Chestermere. According to the RCMP, several personal items were stolen, including a case covered in red velvet that contained the ashes of a deceased loved one. The release said the loss had caused significant emotional distress to the family.








What did the Canadian family ask the public to look for




According to Global News, the family asked the public to watch for a red velvet bag containing a brown faux-leather box. The outlet reported that they also appealed directly to those responsible. "I have to have hope that they'll do the right thing," Deanna Thompson told Global News. She added that even an anonymous email indicating where the ashes could be found would help the family lay her mother to rest, and said the container includes identifying information and ways to return the remains.




The RCMP described its own request as a compassionate appeal for the urn and ashes to be returned. The release stated that police believed the urn may have been taken unintentionally or discarded shortly after the break-in, and that its return was the priority because of the scheduled funeral. The release said anonymous tips could be given to Crime Stoppers.








How were the stolen ashes returned to the Canadian family




The RCMP release said police were also seeking help to identify two male suspects. It described the first as wearing white sweatpants, a blue and black coat, black shoes, and a black hat and gloves. The second was described as wearing blue overalls with yellow stripes and a white construction hat. Global News reported that the home has no security camera, but that video from a house across the street shows people the family believes may be connected to the break-in. The outlet said one individual in the footage appears to be dressed as a worker.




In an update dated 9 January 2026, the RCMP said the cremated remains had been returned safely to the family. According to the update, they were left at a Calgary funeral home with a note asking for their safe return to the family. The RCMP said the investigation was continuing and that it was still seeking help to identify the two male suspects responsible for the break and enter and theft.