THE WIDOW of former Joy Division frontman Ian Curtis is in a ‘state of disbelief and shock’ after thieves stole the memorial stone from his grave.
And a former band mate today described the theft as ‘sick’ and a ‘new low’.
The kerbstone, which has the words ‘Ian Curtis 18 - 5 -80’ and the iconic lyrics ‘Love Will tear Us Apart’ printed on it, was taken from Macclesfield Cemetery.
Council staff believe the thieves went to great lengths to dig up the heavy stone and remove it from the site, which is some distance from an entrance to the 60-acre cemetery.
Thousands of music fans have travelled from across the world to pay their respects at the grave of the iconic lead singer after his death in 1980.
Curtis hanged himself in the kitchen of his home in Macclesfield. The band later reformed as New Order and enjoyed great success.
The film Control, the acclaimed biographical film about Curtis, was released last year.
Tony Barker, a spokesman for Macclesfield council, said Curtis’s widow, Debbie, was informed of the theft as she returned from holiday.
"Shocked"
He said: “We had to break the news to Debbie and she was shocked and found it difficult to take in. She is in a state of disbelief and shock.
“Considering it has been there for over 20 years I think everyone is shocked and surprised this has happened.
“It remains baffling and leaves you asking who, what and why?
“There has been added interest in the grave since the film was released last year.”
Former New Order drummer Stephen Morris said: “It’s pretty disgusting really that it’s been there for almost 30 years and somebody has decided to take it as a sick souvenir.
“It’s upsetting for Ian’s relatives, as it would be for anybody, and I can’t see what worth it’s got to anyone.
“I think it’s a little bit sick and what on earth they hope to achieve I don’t know.
“We’ve all been wild and reckless in our time but surely this represents a new low.
“It’s probably a fan that has taken it and I would appeal for them to return it or leave it at the nearest police station.
Insp Gareth Woods, of Cheshire police said: “This is a very unusual crime and it’s not the sort of thing we have encountered before.
“Most Joy Division fans have respect for that area and we are appealing for information because we want to try and prick the conscience of anyone who knows anything about this.”
The theft took place between Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning and anyone with information should contact Macclesfield police on 01625 610000.
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Appauling !
To the Manchester famous - welcome to the real world! This is nothing new, and is certainly not a 'new low'! Would this have happened in Ian's lifetime? I doubt it. Society really has broken down and when grave yards are no longer sacred places, then nothing is safe and nothing surprises me any more.
Why would someone do this? What will the scumbag(s) do with a memorial headstone - flog it on ebay??
How sick can you get?
just how low can you go,,, put it back scumbag
I'm wondering if the great film of the man, Control, has inspired some eejit to take it upon themself to claim a kind of token or souvenir.
It is absolutely appalling, ghoulish almost, and they should think of his family's feelings and return it.
It will be on someone's mantelpiece as a gruesome souvenir. Parts of Jim Morrison's gravestone in Paris has been stolen since he died in 1971 so it's nothing new. Not acceptable though and it seems more than a coincidence that this was stolen not long after the film biopic of Ian Curtis's life, "Control" was released. It's just very sad that people would take something like this.
Disgraceful and disrespectful!
No true fan would have done this. These people are pure scum!
in this day an age ,these scum have no respect for the dead or the living.these idiots are a disgrace to the society,time to clamp down harder on these brain dead idiots.lets see some action
in this day an age ,these scum have no respect for the dead or the living.these idiots are a disgrace to the society,time to clamp down harder on these brain dead idiots.lets see some action
Guten Tag: idiots used to smash grave stones when I was a lad in the 1960s - disrespectful behaviour is nothing new.
BTW, my claim to fame is that I used to live next door to Ian's mum and dad in the late 1970s/early 80, i.e. at the time of Ian's death. They were a lovely family.
Shocking, very sad and angry R.I.P Ian..
Nothing short of Grave Robbing.
Scurolous scum.
R.I.P Ian, my thoughts are with your family.
Scum wehat goes around comes around.
r.i.p ian.
As a massive fan of Ian as an artist as well as a a human being, someone who inspired and continues to inspire musicians and fans alike i would like to say i despise the sort of scum who have done this to Ians family.I hope the thieving low-lifes rot in HELL.We love you Ian Curtis R.I.P
Mr M, i thought the same thing when i read this. Control is a great film, but has it prompted some idiot to steal Ian's memorial stone? whoever did it, do yourself a spiritual favour and put it back!
Terrible henious crime nothing, but nothing surprises me today.
There are some real sick peopl out there, they will think they have done nothing wrong. There on the same par as the parents of the killers of Garry Newlove, sniggering in court.
These people should be where Curtis is now!
No one, living or dead, is safe anymore. It is time for lynching parties to be formed.
totally despicable. Ian managed in his short life, what these scumbags will never achieve in their entire lifetime. My heart goes out to his widow Debbie and his daughter.
R.I.P Ian. Gone, but most certainly never forgotten