Bothell Woman Pleads For Return Of Ashes Stolen In Bellevue

BELLEVUE, WA — A Bothell woman is making a public plea after thieves stole her husband's ashes from a U-Haul trailer parked outside a Bellevue hotel. Susan Foster said her husband's urn was among several items taken in an Eastlake burglary Wednesday. Foster's husband, Dave, died in 2016 after complications from a serious illness. They were married for almost 21 years.

"The kicker of it is that his birthday was on Tuesday, and the stuff was stolen Wednesday," Foster said. "The anniversary of his death is on the 22nd, and I just sold the only house we've ever owned together, so it's just been rough."

Foster is moving to Texas after 22 years in Bothell, hoping to begin a new chapter, but the memory of her husband is always with her.

"He was adventurous. We've driven across the U.S. a couple times. For our 10-year anniversary he surprised me with a trip to Paris because he knew I always wanted to go there," Foster said.

But now, some of the last remaining keepsakes that connected her with him are lost. Foster said china and silverware from their wedding night were among the items stolen, along with some of her husband's tools and his wedding ring. The most important thing, Foster says, is just getting her husband back.

"It took me like two years to really figure out how I was going to live a life without him, and when I finally, finally get the courage to try and do something and change it - the first night - they stole his ashes," Foster said. "If I could just have that back, it would mean everything."

Surveillance cameras at the hotel and a nearby church failed to capture footage of the crime. Foster said the hotel checked with guests to see if anyone saw anything amiss, and the church is alerting parishioners to be on the lookout. The ashes are in a small black box inscribed with the name David S. Francis. It was inside a black, 17-gallon container with a yellow lid. Anyone with information on the theft should contact Bellevue Police.