One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
San Marino Burglars Steal Jewelry, Dead Husband's Ashes
Photo of San Marino by R.E.~ via LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr
Burglars broke into the home of Mary Jean Lynberg last Wednesday ransacking the bedroom, tearing out the closets looking for wall safes and taking off with valuables like jewelry, and her deceased husband. Charles A. Lynberg died of cancer three years ago leaving his wife alone in their house of 25 years; his cremated ashes now taking up residency in a heavy urn protected by a dark cherry wood box, about 6.25 inches high, 11 inches wide, 8 inches deep with a 12-inch-wide base and non-removable top. Lynberg suspects the box was mistaken for jewelry.
Police said the burglary is typical of a countywide trend,reports the Pasadena Star News, noting many burglars, enter through the back of the house or open/broken windows.
Mary Jean Lynchberg is currently in treatment for a recurring cancer and holds out narrow hope that someone will find and return her husband -- the couple had discussed spreading their ashes together after their deaths. States Lynberg, "I won't have much peace of mind until I realize where my husband's ashes are. I just want the ashes back, the rest of it I don't care."
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
