Massachusetts

‘Beyond Comprehension': More Than a Dozen Gravestones Toppled Over in West Roxbury Cemetery

Saint Joseph's Cemetery in West Roxbury is the final resting place of well-known Bostonians like gangster Whitey Bulger

Authorities are actively investigating after several tombstones were toppled over in a Massachusetts cemetery.

Boston police responded after receiving a complaint that more than a dozen grave stones were knocked over at Saint Joseph’s Cemetery in West Roxbury.

Some neighbors believe this is an act of vandalism.

The cemetery is the final resting place for many well-known Bostonians, including gangster Whitey Bulger.

Ken Martin says the damage doesn’t look like a mob hit, though.

"I gotta think more than one person put their weight behind it," Martin said. "There doesn't seem to be any tire tracks or anything."

Martin says he saw the destruction Sunday morning and immediately called police before checking to make sure his parents’ gravestone was okay.

A lot of the headstones were knocked down on the outer edge of the cemetery.

"Whoever did it just kind of walked around doing it," Martin said.

It’s unclear how this all happened but Martin believes this is vandalism.

"People are calling me asking, is my mother or my grandma’s grave toppled over?" Martin said.

He has been checking and hopes police make arrests.

"Who could have done this?" Martin asked. "This is just, some things are just beyond comprehension, and this is certainly one of them."

Authorities say they have no suspect or suspects at this time.

This is an ongoing investigation.

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