Family desperate to get back remains of loved one after ashes stolen during home burglary

TULSA -- A heart-wrenching story of grief as one Tulsa family experiences the loss of their loved one, not once, but twice.

A home burglary brought a family to tears after learning the ashes of a mother, daughter and sister, were stolen along with her jewelry.

It’s no small feat, but Robin Alexander's family is determined to find the man responsible for stealing something so irreplaceable. The good news, however, is the family said the suspect left behind a huge piece of evidence that could potentially bring Robin home.

“I don't care,” Robin’s mother said. “I don't care. I just want Robin back."

It’s a household stained with tears.

“That woman was amazingly strong,” Sheli Madison, Robin’s sister-in-law, said. “You never would have known the pain that she was in daily.”

It’s been a year full of heartache for the family after losing Robin to liver failure.

“We lost her in February,” Zac Alexander, Robin’s son, said. “You don't expect something like this to happen.”

The pain of loss, striking not only once, but twice this year.

“Now, it feels like it's a more dramatic loss this time,” Madison said. “It's like we have nothing left now."

A reported burglar is responsible for stealing a piece of this family's heart, which is Robin’s ashes.

“Everything that is gone is replaceable,” Madison said. “[But] that is not.”

The family said Robin’s remains were stolen from her old bedroom.

“When I  went in there to open [the closet], she was gone,” Robin’s mother said.

A Coca-Cola tin holds the remains of their loved one. The name "Robin Alexander" is engraved on the inside. The family said the tin is a representation of how much Robin loved Coca-Cola. 

Now, the family is demanding answers, and believes the suspect gave them a few by leaving behind a key piece of evidence.

“This gentleman left his information for us all to have,” Madison said.

A man’s phone and ID were found by the back door, which is where the family believes the suspect broke in.

“Just give me my mom back,” Zac Alexander said.

The suspect's belongings were turned into police, but so far there's been no luck tracking him down.

“I want her back, please,” Robin’s mother cried.

It’s a plea the family is depending on, so Robin's memory can remain as it was. A happy soul, released from pain, and sent to a place where she can drink all the coke she wants.

The family is asking the suspect to please just return the tin of ashes if nothing else. No questions asked, they'll accept Robin’s remains and move on.

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