Woman Returns Man’s Ashes to Family After Finding Them in Thrift Shop: ‘Part of the Wound Is Healing’

Mar. 15, 2025

A family has been reunited with their loved one’s ashes after they were found inside a keychain at a Florida thrift store.

McClain and others spent weeks trying to locate Mike’s family. On Wednesday, Nov. 28, they werefinally successfulafter bringing their story to the local news outlet.

Mike’s ex-wife Cindy Lizama, who lives in Washington, said her stepson texted her about the story after seeing it on the news. “And I was like, ‘What?’ ” she recalled.

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Mike and Cindy were separated when Mike died, and the family said his girlfriend only sent a small vile of ashes to Cindy after his death.

That same vile carrying Mike’s ashes was the one found at the Yulee thrift store. The ashes were returned to Mike’s family on Thanksgiving Day.

“He always wanted to be famous and now he’s got his 15 minutes of fame,”Mike’s 19-year-old daughter Adrianatold the CBS affiliate.

Adriana remembered her late father as “a big goofball” and “a fun dad.” She said being reunited with Mike’s remains was bittersweet.

“I really miss him,” Adriana explained. “Having this piece of him back feels like part of the wound is healing.”

Meanwhile, McClain is happy that the capsule of ashes has been reunited with its owners.

source: people.com