Ashland Police Continue Push to Solve Cemetery Vandalism Case Nearly One Year Later
ASHLAND, OHIO — Nearly one year after a devastating act of vandalism caused more than $250,000 in damage at Ashland Cemetery, Ashland Police Chief Curt Dorsey says investigators have not given up, but they now need the community’s help to bring the case to a close.
The vandalism, discovered on June 12, 2025, left 133 headstones toppled or damaged, windows broken and a bronze military memorial at the Ashland County Fallen Heroes site heavily damaged. The destruction shook the community and prompted widespread outrage, particularly among families, veterans and residents with loved ones buried in the cemetery.
Dorsey sat down with ACP News and said the Ashland Police Division “pulled out all the stops” during the investigation, using local, state and forensic resources in an effort to identify those responsible.
According to Dorsey, the initial response included officers canvassing the area for surveillance video, going door to door at nearby homes, searching the cemetery and surrounding area for evidence, and having detectives collect potential DNA and fingerprint evidence from damaged tombstones and other items believed to have been touched by the suspects.
The investigation continued for months. Evidence was submitted to the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation Crime Lab for both fingerprint and DNA testing. Dorsey said one DNA sample came back as an unidentified male, meaning the person was not found in the DNA database.
Police also submitted video evidence for forensic enhancement, analyzed cell tower data from the time frame of the offense and reviewed hours of body camera footage from prior police contacts in an attempt to match a possible suspect. Investigators also worked with Ashland County Juvenile Court Probation, analyzed several cell phones for video, location data, photos and messages, and conducted multiple interviews in hopes that someone with information would come forward.
Dorsey said detectives also executed a Google geofence search warrant, but that effort yielded no results. Ashland County Sheriff’s Office detectives also assisted in the investigation.
Now, nearly a year later, Ashland Police are releasing additional videos and pictures from the case in hopes someone will recognize the possible juveniles believed to be connected to the vandalism.
The case remains one of the most costly and emotional acts of vandalism in Ashland’s recent history. Many of the damaged headstones dated back generations, and the destruction of the Fallen Heroes memorial added another layer of pain for veterans and families of service members.
Previous estimates placed the damage at more than $250,000. The vandalism also prompted community members, local organizations and city leaders to rally around restoration efforts. Donations were directed to the City of Ashland Cemetery Fund, while the Ashland Elks Lodge #1360 committed up to $13,000 toward a modern security camera system at the cemetery.
Ashland Mayor Matt Miller previously said the community response reflected the heart of Ashland, with organizations and individuals asking how they could help restore the cemetery and support accountability.
But for police, the case is not finished.
The crime that affected the entire community may now require the community to solve it.
Investigators believe someone may know who was involved, heard something after the fact or may recognize someone from the images and videos being released.
Anyone with information about the Ashland Cemetery vandalism case is urged to contact the Ashland Police Division at 419-289-3639.
