Thief Breaks Into Sacramento Man's Home, Steals Ashes Belonging To Friend

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) - A Sacramento man is asking the thief who burglarized his home to return the ashes of his dear friend.

Ed Legenza and Mif k'ta Wita were best friends for decades.

"One day this girl got on the bus with this teddy bear and said, 'I don't have any friends," Legenza said of his first time meeting Wita. Legenza, now in his 60s, displays Wita's faded blue teddy bear now on his living room table.

For most of Wita's life she was ill and Legenza cared for her.

"We were just friends. We could only ever be just friends," said Legenza. "We were like brother and sister."

Wita died October 15 with Legenza by her side. Afterwards, Legenza sold the house and took Wita's ashes with him to an apartment complex the both had lived in years ago.

"I know exactly where it was. I remember bringing her in," said Legenza. He had placed her urn, wrapped in a felt pouch, on the floor near the fireplace. He promised to spread her ashes in Hawaii, but couldn't bring himself to let her go just yet.

On December 12, someone broke into Legenza's apartment and stole a camera, a hand radio, and Wita's urn.

"I can only think that they didn't know what they took," said Legenza. "Maybe they thought it was a present or alcohol or something."

The urn contains documents and Legenza hopes the burglar still has them.

"For all the things to happen, to not give her a final resting place," said Legenza. "I hope they just don't throw her in a dumpster."

Legenza said he does not want the camera back and will not press charges, he just wants Wita's remains returned so he can follow through with his promise.

"It'll be important to me to close this out and give her a proper send away."

Legenza can be reached at justedders@gmail.com.

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