This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
An Ogden landlord Saturday night was startled to find a former tenant had left behind an odd item — a box full of what appears to be human ashes.
Ogden police Lt. Troy Burnett said the landlord was cleaning out a rental home in the 2100 block of Tyler Street when he noticed a wooden box inside a plastic bag. When he opened the box he discovered a bag full of ashes and a 1973 Mount Fort Junior High identification card.
Burnett said that apparently a year ago the former tenant befriended a transient who asked him to store some items, including the wooden box. The tenant said he didn't know whose ashes they were, only that the transient — whose name he can't remember — said they were those of his deceased wife.
When the tenant moved out recently, Burnett said, he left the transient's belongings behind, including the ashes, not knowing what to do with them.
Burnett said police are storing the ashes, hopeful that a family member can be located.
Burnett said the only clue officers have to go on is the ID card tucked inside the box. Burnett said the name on the card reads "Linda Mecham," but investigators aren't even certain if the card is in any way connected to the ashes.
Anyone with information is asked to call police at 801-395-8221.
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