Memphis Family Seeks Answers After Motherโs Remains Go Missing at Local Cemetery
In the heart of Memphis, a grieving daughter is desperately searching for answers after claiming her motherโs remains have been misplaced at a local cemetery. The story unfolds with Georleshia Minter, who faced an unimaginable loss when her mother, Marie Minter-Boyd, passed away on November 11, 2023. โShe was a daughter, a granddaughter, a cousin, a sister, someoneโs everything. Our everything,โ Minter shared, capturing the essence of her motherโs significance in their family.
After her motherโs passing, Minter noted that her mother was laid to rest in New Park Cemetery on Horn Lake Road in December. Initially, she visited the gravesite without issue. But as months passed, she started to notice something wasnโt quite right. โAt first it was just a substantial difference from where I had been coming for the previous months,โ Minter explained, her concern growing with each visit.
A Disturbing Discovery
During a family gathering to celebrate what would have been her motherโs birthday, relatives noticed inconsistencies regarding the gravesite’s location. โWe looked back at videos and pictures that we had taken from December 2, the day that we laid my mother to rest, and noticed that something in fact was not right,โ Minter stated, clearly troubled by this discovery. Despite her efforts to approach the cemetery management about her concerns, she reportedly received no satisfactory answers.
According to Minter, when she inquired about her motherโs remains, the management seemed unsure and claimed, โThey have no idea where or how she was lost, but they do not know where she is.โ This lack of clarity has left the family in distress, grappling with the feeling of being lost themselves. โTo be missing in life and to be missing in death is heartbreaking,โ she added. โIf nothing else is done, my mom must be found.โ
Cemeteryโs Response
WREG reached out to the cemeteryโs General Manager, Jeff Roberts, for further insight. He stated that they had double-checked their records and found no errors or discrepancies on their part. โThe family has no headstone on the grave, and perhaps that is what led to their misunderstanding,โ Roberts suggested, which Minter disputed. Even though her mother didnโt have an official headstone, Minter had placed a marker to identify her mother’s burial siteโan indicator that has since gone missing as well.
A Pattern of Issues
This situation isnโt entirely new for New Park Cemetery. Earlier this year, another family voiced similar concerns regarding the misplacement of their loved oneโs remains. An investigation by the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance was conducted but, while they didnโt find evidence that the motherโs body had been moved, they did uncover several maintenance issues within the cemetery, including litter and overturned headstones. As a result, the cemetery was fined nearly $3,000.
While filming this current story, WREG crews encountered yet another family approaching with complaints about their loved oneโs burial site. The common thread of distress reveals a troubling trend that many families in the Memphis area seem to be facing.
A Call for Action
Minterโs heart-wrenching plea exemplifies the pain of losing a loved one not only in life but also in death. The family hopes to find closure for Marie, who was so loved and is now at the center of a heartbreaking mystery. As they seek answers, the larger issue of cemetery management practices is brought to light, sparking essential conversations about the importance of respectful treatments of our departed.
While the situation remains unresolved, Minter and her family continue to search for the truth. They wait and hope that their beloved mother will be located, restoring a sense of peace for a family still grieving.
Author: STAFF HERE MEMPHIS WRITER
The MEMPHIS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMemphis.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Memphis, Shelby County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the areaโwith deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Beale Street Music Festival, Elvis Week, and Memphis in May International Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Memphis Chamber and the Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in logistics, healthcare, and music that power the local economy such as FedEx, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and AutoZone. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREChattanooga.com, HEREKnoxville.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
