The recent removal of two 7,000 pound Spongebob Squarepants headstones from a cemetery has a family grief stricken.
On Valentine's Day of this year, Kimberly Walker, a 28-year-old U.S. Army sergeant, was found dead in a Colorado Springs hotel room, allegedly by her soldier boyfriend’s hand.
Along with purchasing plots for the whole family, Deborah Walker, Kimberly’s mother, paid $26,000 for two Spongebob headstones, one in an Army uniform for Kimberly, and one in a sailor uniform for her twin sister, who's currently serving in the U.S. Navy.
Walker signed a contract for the six plots and placement of the two headstones.
Though it seems like an employee at Spring Grove Cemetery in Cincinnati didn't have a firm grasp on the Spring Grove brand, because within 24 hours, the company removed the two headstones.
Their statement was:
"Although the family chose a design with the guidance of a Spring Grove employee, unfortunately the monuments did not fit within the Spring Grove cemetary guidelines. We are working with the Walker family and are committed to a design a solution at our expense."
Military death gratuities pay out approximately $100,000, but it's unclear if the Walker's used these funds to pay for the headstones.
Here's the full news report from WLWT: