Aug. 8, 2019

Linda Ahern, Publisher

On Wednesday Aug. 7, 2019, a conversation on social media sparked questions about unusual activities happening at the Lee’s Summit Historical Cemetery. Participants in the conversation discussed police cars, officers and a backhoe in the cemetery.

 As a result of the questions, the Lee’s Summit Tribune reached out to Sgt. Chris Depue, the Public Information Officer of the Lee’s Summit Police Department who forwarded our information request to the Parks Department. The Lee’s Summit Park Department manages the Historical Cemetery. 

Lee’s Summit Tribune received the following statement from Collin McCage, marking coordinator on behalf of Joe Snook, adminstrator of LSPR.
“On Wednesday, while preparing a grave space for a scheduled burial, an unmarked burial from the early 1900’s was encountered. As managers of the City’s cemetery, LSPR staff immediately implemented the protocol for addressing undocumented remains in the cemetery and was quickly able to identify the correct location, remedy the incorrect burial, and prepare for the pending service as scheduled.

The City and Lee’s Summit Parks and Recreation recognize, in managing a historical cemetery which has changed ownership and oversight several times, occasions will arise involving inconsistent records. Lee’s Summit Parks and Recreation and the City remain committed to ensuring the accuracy of the cemetery’s records while preserving the dignity and respect for the resting place of the deceased. It is for this reason the undocumented remains protocol was developed, which includes advising LSPD so that appropriate reports can be processed, and records can be established.”

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3 Comments

3 Comments

  • Paul Jones

    August 8, 2019 - 2:15 pm

    Thanks for following up on this story. In this day and age rumors have a way of growing from social media. I’m glad that you followed through and brought the truth to light. Also thank you too the city of Lee’s Summit for maintaining such a beautiful historical cemetery..

  • T warrem

    August 8, 2019 - 7:18 pm

    So – whose remains were in the grave and what was the the outcome for disposition of the rhe remains? And what was the outcome for the deceased who had, presumably paid for the plot?

  • Iris Fields

    August 8, 2019 - 7:22 pm

    I would love to know who it was they buried, I’ve been photographing graves for genealogist, and there are several of them that are listed as unmarked and unknown.

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