Halloween decoration draws South Bend police to cemetery

Tools

Halloween decoration draws South Bend police to cemetery

By Tiffany Griffin

SOUTH BEND — What started as a call to report a dead body in Riverview Cemetery (above the ground, that is) ended with a few laughs Tuesday night.

Police and fire crews rushed to the cemetery near Portage Avenue and Lathrop Street shortly after 7:15 p.m. after a woman on cross country skis reported what she thought was a dead body on a park bench near the St. Joseph River.

When responders trekked the width of the cemetery through the snow and lifted the hat off the body, they discovered a pumpkin in place of its head. Its legs were stuffed with straw. It was, in fact, a dummy, South Bend fire Capt. Tom Pennino said.

The woman called authorities without approaching the body — an understandable course of action, Pennino said. The items likely were discarded Halloween decorations, he said.

Courtesy of The South Bend Tribune

Monday, Jan 7 at 5:07 AM just me wrote ...

thats a twisted prank, but did they get any evidence from the fake crime scene

Friday, Jan 4 at 3:28 AM Amber wrote ...

I think it was done intentionally...although my grandmother does "festive" things to her mother and father's graves, she's never gone this far. And it's not Halloween time...maybe if there was an Xmas tree with some ornaments on it I could see the relation. This was a prank.

Thursday, Jan 3 at 2:20 PM BECKY wrote ...

Why do we think it was a prank, it could have been a loved one that likes to deocorate for the holidays, I like to put special items on my grandmothers grave for the holidays. That is problem with this country we open our mouth and insert foot before we know the true story.

Wednesday, Jan 2 at 4:39 PM Anonymous wrote ...

I think everyone should lighten up. Big deal!!

Wednesday, Jan 2 at 3:54 PM cee wrote ...

lighten up people. every now and then, it's ok to just take something at face value. bet it did give the emergency personnel a giggle.

Wednesday, Jan 2 at 3:32 PM Jason wrote ...

I think you should be punished for making that comment.

Wednesday, Jan 2 at 2:57 PM SMAZZ wrote ...

Another rude prank i am sure but the woman did the right thing do not approach and contact the suthorities this prank could have been there for awhile and was just noticed recently halloween decor just now being rid of sounds a little fishy to me neighbors and residents of that area should keep an eye out for vandals or teens playing late night

Wednesday, Jan 2 at 2:54 PM JackSkellinton wrote ...

I do not believe it is a crime to place a scarecrow on a bench in a cemetary. No laws were broken. So the Anonymous person that wants punishment to this person should shut up.

Wednesday, Jan 2 at 1:50 PM CALoyal wrote ...

Sounds like a set up to me. Why would someone be cross country skiing in a cemetary after dark during a snow storm?

Wednesday, Jan 2 at 1:39 PM Big C wrote ...

Felony decorating?

Wednesday, Jan 2 at 12:51 PM Anon wrote ...

That was a dangerous joke to play. The cemetery wasn't plowed so everyone had to walk into the cemetery to get to the site. Police and fire could have been hurt.

Wednesday, Jan 2 at 11:47 AM Anonymous wrote ...

I believe she did the right thing. Whoever put the decorations there should be punished.

Add a comment

Name:

Comment: 500 Characters Left

Comments are moderated and will not appear on this story until after they have been reviewed and deemed appropriate for posting.

WSBT and its affiliated companies are not responsible for the content of comments posted or for anything arising out of use of the above comments or other interaction among the users. We reserve the right to screen, refuse to post, remove or edit user-generated content at any time and for any or no reason in our absolute and sole discretion without prior notice, although we have no duty to do so or to monitor any Public Forum.

WSBT Weather

More On Demand

Stock Quotes

This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

Tonight On WSBTFull Schedule

7.00
Wheel of Fortune
7.30
Jeopardy!
8.00
Ghost Whisperer
9.00
Numb3rs
10.00
Boston Pops FIreworks Spectacular
11.00
WSBT News
11.35
Late Show with David Letterman

Question of The Day

Do you think the Founding Fathers would be proud of America today?

For more information, read CNN Poll: Most say Founding Fathers wouldn't be impressed.

  • Yes
  • No