Kentucky woman accused of digging up her father's burial remains

Christopher Leach, Lexington Herald-Leader on Mar 9, 2026

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LEXINGTON, Ky. — A Western Kentucky woman is accused of digging up and taking her father’s remains from a cemetery, according to Kentucky State Police and court documents.

Police were notified Saturday afternoon that an urn had been dug up and stolen from Ridgetop Cemetery in Crofton. When police interviewed Jessica Hamby, 46, at her Hopkinsville home, she admitted to having the urn but said it did not contain her father’s ashes.

Police investigated the urn and saw ashes inside it, according to court documents. Police also saw dirt on the bottom of the urn.

When questioned further, Hamby said someone dug up the urn and brought it to her, court documents say. She was arrested and charged with abuse of a corpse and violating graves, according to state police.

Hamby was booked into the Christian County Jail. She is scheduled to be arraigned in Christian District Court Friday.

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