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The Pipestone County Sheriff’s Office is investigating criminal damage to property at the Ihlen Cemetery after Justin Olsen reported at 6:36 p.m. Monday, Aug. 22, his daughter’s headstone had been vandalized.
According to a report released Monday morning, Aug. 29, the headstone had been pushed over to the east, and a black tar substance had been poured all over the base and the stone.
“The substance was crusted on the top but still wet underneath,” the Sheriff’s Office report stated.
“Tips and leads along with other investigative actions have been followed up with. At the time of this release there are no suspects, and this case remains under investigation.”
Jordyn Olsen died of cancer in March of 2014 when she was 7 years old. She would have been 16 in July when her family decorated her gravesite with birthday balloons.
Now that image serves as a “before” photo to compare with the photos of the damage, which may have occurred overnight or early morning on Monday, Aug. 22.
Pipestone County Chief Deputy Mike Hamann said Olsen didn’t think it had been damaged the day before when he drove by, but there’s not a specific time of vandalism listed in the report.
“The only other thing we can go off of was that the black tar-like substance was still wet underneath the headstone,” Hamann said. “Everything else outside of what was reported would be an assumption.”
The phone number for the Pipestone County Sheriff’s Office is 507-825-1100 to speak with someone. Call 507-825-1105 to share an anonymous tip or information.
The family has cleaned up the site and has accepted donations for a reward fund that is now up to $8,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the case.
“We have been working with the cops and have been working leads,” Olsen shared online.
“I just want to say thanks to everyone for calls, texts and messages.”
An online fundraiser to rebuild the desecrated headstone attracted donations from 175 people totaling more than $8,600.
“On behalf of the Olsen family, thank you all for your tremendous generosity,” organizers Isaac and Theresa DeBoer posted after closing the fundraiser Saturday.
“The replacement monument has been ordered with plans to put it up yet this fall, provided there are no delays.”
Jordyn’s mother, Jodi (Smook), thanked the community for donations to the reward fund and to rebuild the headstone.
“We are beyond humbled and thankful to all who have joined the effort to help find who destroyed the beautiful headstone that adorned our daughter’s grave,” she wrote.
“Words simply cannot express our appreciation and gratitude.”
The family has indicated that excess donated funds, if any, will go to Sanford Children’s Hospital and the Ihlen Cemetery in memory of Jordyn.