Three people face felony charges after police say memorial vases were removed from graves at Magnolia Memorial Gardens and sold for scrap metal.
The Chatham County Police Department began investigating July 1 after a cemetery employee reported seeing two women removing vases from headstones before walking into woods near the Silk Hope Road property.
Investigators believe as many as 150 vases may have disappeared from graves during the past 18 months.
Alicia Hart, 39, was arrested and charged with felony theft by taking.
Kenneth Jenks, 47, was arrested July 23 and charged with felony theft by receiving stolen property.
Police also obtained a felony theft-by-taking warrant for Doris Friday, 35. She remained wanted when authorities released the case information Monday, August 10.
Police Chief Jeff Hadley said families reported spending several thousand dollars to add one of the memorial vases to a loved one’s headstone. He said stealing them for scrap adds further pain for grieving families.
Anyone with information about the thefts or Friday’s location may submit a tip through the Chatham County Police Department app or its online tip form. Anonymous information may also be provided to CrimeStoppers at 912-234-2020.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Yolonda Harris
News Now Georgia
August 19, 2026
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