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Woman's Ashes Found In Parking Lot; Family Reportedly Doesn't Want Them

VICTORVILLE (CBSLA.com) — A woman who found a box of cremated ashes in a supermarket parking lot was shocked to learn that the deceased person's family reportedly doesn't want the ashes back.

Tawni, who chose not to reveal her last name, said she found the ashes of Dorothy Mae Moss, who died in 2007, in a holiday bag at a Stater Bros. parking lot in Victorville a few months ago.

"The first thought was maybe somebody stole them out of a car and thought it was gift, and when they realized what it was, they left them," she said.

Tawni said she called the crematorium listed on the box, the local authorities, and posted messages online in order to find the woman's family.

"I came to dead-ends every time I turned around," she said.

On Sunday, however, Tawni said she got a disturbing phone call.

The pastor who officiated Moss' funeral said a family friend told him that Moss' family doesn't want her ashes.

KCAL9's Crystal Cruz said the pastor didn't know why.

Moss' family has yet to call Tawni.

"It breaks my heart. How can you not want somebody from your family? Just because she passed away?" Tawni said. "Hopefully we will find someone that will want her."

If no one claims the ashes, Tawni will have to drop them off with the county coroner.

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