A Colorado military veteran is facing every family's worst nightmare after a storage company auctioned off his deceased wife's ashes alongside his other possessions.
John 'J.T.' Taylor, who served in the US Navy, had been storing his belongings with A-1 Storage in Colorado Springs while transitioning between homes. The company claims he fell behind on payments, leading them to auction his unit's contents in May.
The Heartbreaking Discovery
"I went to pay my bill and they told me my stuff was gone," Mr Taylor recounted to local media. "I said, 'What do you mean it's gone? My wife is in there.'"
Among the sold items was a distinctive wooden box containing the cremated remains of his wife, Bonnie, who passed away in 2022. The container featured military insignia and was clearly not ordinary storage.
Storage Company's Response
A-1 Storage maintains they followed standard procedure, sending multiple notifications before the sale. However, they've since acknowledged the sensitivity of the situation.
"We are actively working with the customer and the purchaser to return the item," company management stated, though they noted the process could take 30-45 days.
Community Outrage and Legal Questions
The case has sparked outrage and raised questions about storage auction regulations. Colorado law allows storage facilities to sell contents when payments are overdue, but special consideration for sentimental or irreplaceable items remains unclear.
Mr Taylor, who described his wife as "the most amazing woman I've ever met," remains hopeful but frustrated. "I just want my wife back," he pleaded.
The incident serves as a stark warning to those using storage facilities about the potential consequences of payment disputes and the importance of safeguarding priceless personal items.
