‘Can’t get any lower’: Grieving Victorian families hurt by gravesite robberies

Maurice D’Alberti laid his four-year-old son Adam to rest at Fawkner Memorial Park after he lost his battle with cancer almost six years ago.

During a visit on what would have been his 10th birthday, D’Alberti was shattered to find toy cars, along with an engraved ribbon and a photo of Adam, had been stolen.

“As a parent that’s lost a child, we hang on to things, that they’ve touched, and things that they’ve loved,” D’Alberti told 9News.

“You can’t get any lower. He’s already been robbed of his life and now he’s been robbed of his possessions.”

At least three other graves at Fawkner’s plaza of the Holy Angels mausoleum were also ransacked. 

Sentimental necklaces and a bubble wand were also stolen from Chloe, who died when she was just five years old.

Her father told 9News the incident has caused great distress for his family.

Nearby is the resting place of Jake Maurici’s father, Vince.

Both were diehard Carlton fans and Jake had adorned his gravesite with a football scarf and pins in his memory.

Those items were also callously stolen.

“Things I get emotional about, going to the footy with my dad… we did it when I was younger,” he said.

“Having stuff that was with him is what I remember him by.

Police believe the theft occurred on Tuesday last week and are working with the cemetery to review CCTV footage.

But those affected want to see better security.

“I think the security needs to be improved…my mother comes here late at night,” Maurici said.

The families are calling on the culprits to do the right thing and return the stolen items.