Geraldton Cemetery and Crematorium in Utakarra confirm only one grave damaged last week, not six

The grave of an alleged murder victim damaged at Utakarra Cemetery just hours after her funeral ended is now confirmed to be the only grave damaged on that night. Miss Headland, 26, was allegedly murdered in March while completing COVID-19 quarantine in Perth with her boyfriend Christopher Thomas Dimer, 40, in Perth. Police alleged last week that six graves were damaged around the cemetery on the Friday and Saturday previously, but groundskeeper supervisor Harry Taylor confirmed that was not the case. Mr Taylor said he wasn’t sure what had happened after hours, although there were about 30 family members at the cemetery when the staff finished their shift on Friday, April 22. “When we finished work the family were just putting flowers on the grave and everything was fine,” Mr Taylor said. “We heard second hand that some of the family members came in Saturday morning some time and everything was scattered off the grave.” Mr Taylor said the family were unaware of the damages when they arrived to mourn Miss Headland’s grave the next day, and it was restored later that day by shocked family members. He said police more than likely had their wires crossed with vandalism occurring at the cemetery about a month ago. “There were six headstones damaged back then, this time there was no other damage,” Mr Taylor said. “All of the graves alongside this one haven’t been touched.” Mr Taylor said there were calls from around the State from people concerned about their loved ones’ graves, with some even asking for proof their gravestones were not damaged. “Families can be assured there had been no other damages to any other graves apart from the one in this recent spat,” Mr Taylor said. Miss Headland’s family gathered to speak outside of Perth Supreme Court on Wednesday in a fight for justice. Miss Headland’s mother confirmed her daughter’s grave site in Geraldton was vandalised less than 24 hours after her funeral. “I’m heartbroken as it is and the next day to see that, I just fell apart,” she said.