South Boston family’s stolen statue containing father and grandfather’s ashes returned ahead of Father’s Day

South Boston resident Jessyca Doyle was thrilled to wake up and find a familiar friendly face in front of her home again Monday morning.

The Charlie Chaplin statue that contains the ashes of her father and grandfather had been anonymously returned overnight, she said.

The statue was stolen sometime during the first weekend in June. After Doyle discovered it missing on June 5, her heartfelt pleas to have her family’s ashes returned — no questions asked — were widely circulated on the news.

After getting no response for three days, Doyle contacted police about the theft on June 8. But police weren’t the only people trying to recover the statue. Doyle said lots of people offered to help, even some from neighboring states like New York and New Hampshire.

Somehow, word must’ve reached whoever stole the statue, as it was returned to Doyle’s home about a week after it was stolen.

Doyle said the paint on it was a little worse for wear, and she still doesn’t know who took it or why. But more than anything, she said, she’s just thankful to have it back.

“This whole thing was bad, but the community of New England really stepped up,” she said. “…So happy to have them back for Father’s Day.”

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