Family of Manchester United Worker Devastated After Grave Found Covered in Soil
The grieving family of a young Manchester United hospitality worker have been left heartbroken and distressed after discovering her final resting place covered in a substantial pile of soil at a Manchester cemetery. The incident, which occurred at Southern Cemetery, prompted police attendance and has sparked an emotional outcry from relatives who maintain the grave almost daily.
Grave Disturbance Prompts Police Call-Out
Officers were summoned to the cemetery on Monday afternoon following what were described as "reports of a disturbance". The family of Chloe Hopkins, who tragically passed away three years ago at the age of 26 after a long illness, made the shocking discovery. They found her plot buried under excavated dirt, with a neighbouring grave having been dug up in preparation for a new burial.
Although no arrests were made during the police visit, the emotional impact on the family has been profound. Chloe's older sister, Claire Hopkins, 41, described arriving at the cemetery to find the carefully tended grave in a state of disarray. "It's heartbreaking. I look after that grave virtually every day," she said. "When I saw what they'd done, I was shocked. I was crying."
A Life Remembered and a Grave Honoured
Chloe Hopkins was a dedicated Manchester United fan who worked in hospitality within an executive suite at Old Trafford, where she regularly served club legends including Sir Alex Ferguson. Her family revealed she had battled cystic fibrosis from birth and eventually underwent a double lung transplant, though her body later rejected the new organs.
Her gravesite, though lacking a headstone, is meticulously maintained and visited daily by family members. It is typically decorated with:
- Solar lights
- Colourful balloons
- Fresh flowers
- Personal mementoes
According to the family, the recent excavation work resulted in damage to memorial items. A small wooden fence surrounding the plot was moved, decorative lights were broken, and a name plate was found cracked and hastily taped back together.
Family Outrage and Official Response
Claire Hopkins expressed her fury at the treatment of her sister's resting place, stating she "lost my temper" upon seeing the condition of the grave. "I was shouting that they had disrespected Chloe's grave like she's a piece of s**t," she admitted. "How dare you do that and how can you just put the soil on top of her like that when there's other places it can go?"
Manchester City Council officials have responded to the incident, acknowledging the distress caused while explaining standard cemetery procedures. Councillor Lee-Ann Igbon, executive member for Vibrant Neighbourhoods, stated: "We understand that it can be upsetting for families to find temporary restrictions around a loved one's grave which is why every effort is taken when excavating new graves to do this as carefully and respectfully as possible."
The council confirmed that protective sheeting is normally used to shield adjacent graves during excavation work and that all grave owners are informed about this "standard practice." They have apologised for any distress and pledged to contact the family regarding damaged items.
Ongoing Trauma and Daily Vigil
Claire Hopkins, who says she is receiving treatment for mental health problems following her sister's death, emphasised the importance of the gravesite to her family's grieving process. "We've tried to move forward as a family and keep her memory alive," she explained. "Her grave is never left on its own. Chloe gets visits every single day."
The family decorates the grave specially for Christmas, birthdays, and other significant dates. "When you are going through things and you are struggling," Claire added, "it's not acceptable to go to the grave and see what they have done to her. It's hard enough going, let alone seeing it look like a tip."
Despite the soil being removed from Chloe's grave and returned to the adjacent plot by the following day, the emotional damage to the family persists. Council officials noted that during the incident, cemetery staff faced "verbal abuse and physical aggression and personal threats," which led to the police being called, while maintaining their commitment to "support bereaved families sensitively."
The Hopkins family continues to honour Chloe's memory, remembering her as someone who "lived life to the full" and loved to travel, particularly after her first transplant when she explored the world.
