Missing ring reignites family’s grief

Suzie Elphinstone (second from right) is pleading for the return of her deceased sister Erin's (far right) ashes. Pictured is the Elphinstone family in their last photo together.

By Bonny Burrows

As if the devastation of losing her sister in a car accident wasn’t enough, Suzie Elphinstone has “lost Erin for a second time” after a ring containing the 27-year-old Gembrook woman’s ashes went missing in the post.
Following the tragic 10 May death of her beloved sister in a single-car accident just minutes away from home, Suzie had sent Erin Elphinstone’s ashes to the Netherlands to be turned into a cremation ring.
The silver ring was supposed to be something Suzie could wear each day in memory of the elder sister she idolised.
But instead the incident has ripped open wounds that were just starting to heal.
Suzie arrived at her local post office to find the package “tampered with” and the ring containing the last of the former model’s ashes gone.
Her heart instantly dropped.
“I feel so sick physically and honestly I don’t think I can recover if I lose this special piece of Erin,” Suzie said.
Erin, Suzie and their youngest sister Jennifer had a bond most would envy.
They would do everything together and had a pact they would only see the latest Marvel movie at Belgrave’s Cameo cinema as a trio – no exceptions.
Erin’s younger sisters openly admired their “beautiful” Erin for her fashion sense, heart of gold and ability to “make you feel special”.
She died when her black Suzuki sedan veered down a steep embankment along Belgrave-Gembrook Road, Cockatoo, on her way home from the city on 10 May. The accident devastated her tight-knit family, which also includes brother Bradley and parents Garry and Michelle.
Police searched the area on 11 May but initially failed to locate Erin’s vehicle because it was hidden under thick bush.
Erin was found during a second search the next day.
Speaking to the Gazette almost a week after her death, Erin’s family said they would keep her memory burning bright through a number of commemorative moments, symbolic belongings and the sharing of “good times”.
For Suzie, one way of remembering Erin was supposed to be through the ring.
“It’s very devastating as it feels like I have lost Erin for a second time and has brought back past emotions and feelings since discovering Erin has passed,” Suzie said.
She has since contacted the company responsible for creating the ring, along with Australia Post, but is yet to have any luck in tracking it down.
However, the company’s security team told her on 8 July they hoped to have the matter resolved “early next week“.
Suzie believes the ring was intentionally stolen, for reasons unknown.
“When the ring was sent back to me it was sent via airmail. I personally believe the package was tampered with once back in Australia,” Suzie said.
The devastated woman has launched a national search for the ring, using both social and traditional media platforms in the hope of finding her sister’s ashes.
“I don’t want to lose Erin again, I don’t think I could cope,” Suzie said.
The ring is described as silver, with a thick silver band and strip through the centre with a blue material mixed in with Erin’s ashes.
Anyone who has any information about the missing ring is urged to email Suzie at suzie.kate_91@hotmail.com.