'Like a tsunami had hit': Saskatoon woman pleas for return of father's ashes and guitar
A Saskatoon woman is making a public plea in hopes of having some sentimental items returned after they were stolen from her condo in the College Park neighbourhood on Friday.
Karen Malanowich said she spent the morning and afternoon with her mother and returned home around 3:45 p.m. That’s when she and her 12-year-old great-niece discovered the front door open and her home broken into.
“Instantaneously, I just went into a panic mode and kind of ran into my place and it was almost like a tsunami had hit my place,” she told CTV News.
Malanowich said her kitchen was covered in corn starch and other food items, and clothing was scattered all over the floor, with cupboards and drawers left open.
“Just a lot of shock that somebody would go through all of your belongings. They went through every drawer, through all my closets, through my storage unit.”
The most shocking discovery though was that her father’s ashes and the Montana guitar he used to play were among the things stolen.
Malanowich said a cross from her grandmother, a flower her father welded her, his compass and some of his gospel CDs were also taken.
“I understand the things that you can go and sell easily, but some of the articles they took were just more personal and they only had meaning for me and my family.”
Malanowich said the timing made it even more difficult as her father died in January four years ago.
“My dad touched a lot of lives. He sang gospel music, he went to gospel jamborees … My dad was really a person in the community and he always gave back to the community, so I’m really hopeful that people will try to help us find some of his belongings.”
Joseph Malanowich. (Submitted)
In addition to the sentimental items, Malanowich said her passport and tax files were taken, along with some jewellery, clothing and food.
She said she called the police right away as she was afraid the culprit would return to take more stuff.
The Saskatoon Police Service said it responded to the reported break in on Friday and has forwarded the file to its break and enter unit to see if there are further avenues for investigation.
Malanowich, who has never been broken into before, said she no longer feels safe in her own home and has since installed cameras in her unit.
The condo board is also looking at ways to make the building more secure, including putting in more cameras and making it harder for strangers to enter the building.
Malanowich said she hopes what happened to her will encourage people to look out for each other and get to know their neighbours.
“We’re really trying to get the messaging out there that, you know, have each other’s back, be a little bit snoopy, watch out for each other,” she said.
“Take the time to get to know the people around you that live around you and really watch out for people’s homes and their belongings and if you do see anything, definitely call the police.”
Malanowich said she hopes to get her father’s ashes and his guitar back, but also tries to remember they are only material things.
“Nothing can really come between my memories and the love that we have in our family and for my dad.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
NEW 'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Canadian couple among tourists on sinking sailing boat tour abroad
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their “extremely dangerous” experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
An Ontario senior called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Accused of burglary at stepmother's home, U.S. senator says she wanted her father's ashes: charges
A Minnesota state senator and former broadcast meteorologist told police that she broke into her stepmother's home because her stepmother refused to give her items of sentimental value from her late father, including his ashes, according to burglary charges filed Tuesday.
Twins from Toronto were Canada's top two female finishers at this year's Boston Marathon
When identical twin sisters Kim and Michelle Krezonoski were invited to compete against some of the world’s most elite female runners at last week’s Boston Marathon, they were in disbelief.