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Cops Looking For People Who Vandalized Austin Cemetery

Austin Memorial Park Cemetary
Photo courtesy City of Austin
Vandals knocked over 25 gravestones last night at Austin Memorial Park Cemetery last night, according to city officials.

Someone walked through Austin Memorial Park Cemetery last night kicking over gravestones and smashing amenities like a park bench, according to Austin police and Austin Parks and Recreation.

Preliminary estimates peg the damage at $20,000, according to Parks and Rec spokesman Victor O'Valle. He said about 25 gravestones were damaged.

"I think the emotional damage is probably the greatest damage that those vandals are causing," O'Valle told KUT News. "A lot of people spend their hard earned money to provide memorials for their loved ones."

O'Valle said Parks and Rec is not responsible for replacing the headstones because they are private property. But he said the department is working with a management company to repair some and put them back in place.

The destruction was random and did not appear to target gravestones of any religion or ethnicity, O'Valle said.

Police have no suspects and are hoping someone comes forward with information. They're asking people to call APD's Northwest detectives at 512-974-5484, or just dial 9-11.

The Austin Parks Foundation says the city bought Austin Memorial Park in 1941 and that it has more than 18,500 burials.

Here's a map showing where Austin Memorial Park Cemetery is located.

View Larger Map

Nathan Bernier is the transportation reporter at KUT. He covers the big projects that are reshaping how we get around Austin, like the I-35 overhaul, the airport's rapid growth and the multibillion dollar transit expansion Project Connect. He also focuses on the daily changes that affect how we walk, bike and drive around the city. Got a tip? Email him at nbernier@kut.org. Follow him on Twitter @KUTnathan.