Hearse with woman’s body inside crashes after being stolen from California church
Authorities with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department found a stolen hearse — which had a woman’s body inside — after a freeway chase Thursday morning.
The Los Angeles Times reported that a black Lincoln Navigator hearse was stolen about 7:45 p.m. Wednesday in unincorporated Pasadena, California, just outside of Los Angeles.
"Out of all the bad decisions you have made, at least make one good one & bring back the deceased person & casket inside the Navigator," the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said in a tweet Wednesday.
To the suspect(s) driving around in a Black Lincoln Navigator stolen from the 700 blk of Rosemead Bl just after 8PM today in uninc #Pasadena:
— LA County Sheriffs (@LASDHQ) February 27, 2020
Out of all the bad decisions you have made, at least make one good one & bring back the deceased person & casket inside the Navigator. pic.twitter.com/Dvo7u94zL1
Deputy Juanita Navarro-Suarez of the Sheriff's Information Bureau told KNBC the SUV was taken from St. Anthony Greek Orthodox Church.
The sheriff's department said the keys were left in the vehicle as one body was being unloaded from it.
KCBS reported a funeral was underway when the hearse was stolen. Officials said the ongoing service was not connected to the body inside.
An anonymous tip led to a freeway chase near downtown Los Angeles. The chase ended when the Navigator crashed near an exit, with the vehicle sustaining significant front-end damage.
"Huge THANK YOU to the good Samaritan that called law enforcement when they saw the stolen vehicle," the department tweeted.
A suspect was taken into custody. Police found the casket and body in the vehicle.
This is what we can confirm.
— LA County Sheriffs (@LASDHQ) February 27, 2020
-The Black Navigator is the stolen vehicle involved in the grand theft auto from last night.
-There is one suspect in custody
-One casket with one deceased has been located inside the vehicle
Police said the remains were returned to the funeral home Thursday.
“We also want to send condolences to the family members of the deceased person, who had to deal with this tragedy,” the department said in a tweet Thursday.
Huge THANK YOU to the good samaritan that called law enforcement when they saw the stolen vehicle.
— LA County Sheriffs (@LASDHQ) February 27, 2020
We also want to send condolences to the family members of the deceased person, who had to deal with this tragedy.
About the Author
Kelcie Willis is a writer and online content producer for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. She graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Sociology from the University of Georgia. At the AJC, she covers state, regional and national news with the Content Curation Desk.
