The parents of a teenage cyclist killed in an accident fear they have become the victims of a “personal” vendetta after his grave was targeted by thieves for a second time.
Gordon and Sandra McKandie said the heartache of losing 16-year old Keiran was being compounded by the theft of cherished mementoes of their only child.
The couple said they had been left “disgusted” after discovering his grave at Pluscarden Cemetery had been tampered with again.
Mrs McKandie said her son’s memory had been “violated”, and voiced concerns that the grieving family was being deliberately targeted.
But she now hopes the culprit may be identified, after an elastic wristband was prised from an ornament which was later stolen.
It is understood police are checking the band for fingerprints.
Mr McKandie makes daily visits to Keiran’s graveside, and uncovered the first theft early in June.
A glow-in-the-dark hedgehog ornament, which had been left because the animal was the mascot of Keiran’s former primary school at Mosstowie, was taken along with a wind chime placed at the grave by his family.
His parents said the stolen trinkets were of little financial worth – but were priceless in terms of their sentimental value.
After getting advice from the police, the family waited weeks before replacing the hedgehog ornament.
But Mr McKandie has now discovered that the replacement has also been stolen.
Yesterday, Mrs McKandie made an emotional plea to the thief to return the animal figurine.
She said: “This is just disgusting, I am beginning to think it is a bit personal now.
“I can’t think of any reason for it, Keiran didn’t have any enemies.
“The cemetery is miles from anywhere, so someone has made a deliberate effort to go there and do this.
“I hope that whoever took it will show a bit of compassion and return it, then just leave him alone.”
Mr and Mrs McKandie recently staged a tribute night to their son to raise money to fund defibrillators which will be used to try to reduce the number of fatalities on Moray’s roads.
They produced rubber bands embossed with the slogan “Keiran McKandie – K Dawg – Saving Lives” for the occasion, and Mr McKandie later wrapped one around the hedgehog ornament at their son’s grave.
Mrs McKandie said: “They took that band off and left it on the ground, so we put it in a plastic bag and took it to the police.
“It was tied around the hedgehog so they would have struggled to get it off, and we think they must have left fingerprints.”
Inspector Paul McCruden said: “Officers are investigating following a theft from a grave within Pluscarden Cemetery.
“It is believed the theft took place between 7.30pm on Wednesday July 6, and 3pm on Thursday July 7.
“I would like to make it very clear that thoughtless and despicable crimes of this nature will not be tolerated.
“The items in question hold great sentimental value and this has caused great distress.
“I urge anyone with information to get in touch with police as soon as possible.”