Tracker Leads Family to Memorial Thief
A family mourning the loss of a loved one was able to recover items from a roadside memorial after a tracking device led them to the individual responsible for its repeated removal. The tribute, established for Benn Johnson, 22, who died in a car crash in Derby in 2024, had been a poignant site for family and friends for two years.
Georgia Shaw, Benn's sister, recounted how the memorial at Pastures Hill in Littleover was first taken on June 2, followed by a replacement five days later. Determined to understand what was happening, Shaw attached a tracking device to new photographs placed at the site. When these items also disappeared, the tracker guided the family to a man's home.
Upon confrontation, the man reportedly stated, "I don't want you to have a shrine." Derbyshire Police confirmed they are investigating reports of memorial items being removed and have interviewed a man in his 60s regarding the incidents.
The Impact of Loss and the Importance of a Memorial
Benn Johnson, described by his sister as a dedicated joiner and an avid Derby County fan, tragically died on June 10, 2024. He was a passenger in a Vauxhall Corsa driven by a friend, Kiran Hanson, when it collided with another vehicle. Benn succumbed to internal injuries, while his younger brother, Finn, sustained severe injuries including a broken back and sternum. Hanson later pleaded guilty to causing death and serious injury by dangerous driving and was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
For Benn's family, especially Finn, the roadside memorial became a crucial space for remembrance and healing. It was a collection of cards, flowers, candles, and a personalized registration plate where loved ones could reflect and find comfort. "It's something that I think has really helped Finn with his recovery process," Shaw explained.
Repeated Removals and a Calculated Plan
The family's distress began on June 4 when Finn discovered all items missing from the memorial during his weekly visit. After contacting Derby High School and Derby City Council with no answers, the family placed new photographs on June 6, only for them to be removed again by the following morning. Shaw described this as feeling "a little bit more calculated."
This prompted Shaw to embed a tracker into a new photo frame. On June 10, exactly two years after the crash, the tracker indicated the photograph was moving. Shaw, accompanied by her stepmother and father, followed the signal to a property. The man who answered the door initially denied knowledge but changed his demeanor after Shaw revealed the tracking device.
"He said, 'I have them, but you're not having them back,'" Shaw recalled, expressing her shock. The man reportedly insisted the family did not need a shrine and should grieve in a graveyard. While two photographs were eventually returned, more items were recovered following a police search of his property.
Council's Stance and Ongoing Investigation
A spokesperson for Derby City Council acknowledged the significant meaning of such memorials to families. They clarified that the council was not involved in the removal of Benn's memorial and typically only removes them upon police request or public reports, always doing so "carefully and respectfully with the consent of the family." The council also returns non-perishable items to families when possible and expressed relief that the police are investigating.
Derbyshire Police confirmed that inquiries are ongoing, and no arrests have been made at this time.
Source: Grieving sister used tracker to catch memorial thief