Police Rule Out 'Satanic Ritual' As Motive Behind Two Grave Robberies In Melbourne

Two graves have been robbed at a Melbourne cemetery and police are investigating a bunch of theories as to who is to blame.

Human heads were stolen from the above-ground graves at Footscray General Cemetery and a third was tampered with.

Someone who was walking through the cemetery on Tuesday (February 1) morning made the grisly discovery and alerted police.

According to 7News, candles, crucifixes and letters to Satan were discovered and that's led some authorities to question whether a 'satanic ritual' was the motive behind the robbery.

The Herald Sun said police ruled out that theory late last night (February 2) and they're now looking at the possibility that 'thrill-seeking' was the motivation and the satanic paraphernalia was left as a decoy.

Authorities believe a person or a group used tools to force the mausoleum door open and then the heads were removed from the bodies.

It's not understood why just the heads were taken compared to the rest of the body but police are looking at all angles.

There are more than 19,000 bodies buried at Footscray General Cemetery, according to News Corp, and it's also unclear whether these graves were targeted specifically or if it was random.

Criminologist Xanthe Mallett told 7News it's believed to be the first time something like this has happened in Victoria.

"It is interesting, some of the symbols that have been left around these mausoleums appear to be satanic in nature," Dr Mallett said.

"And I've seen that in the UK, but I've never seen any satanic cult activity in Australia.

"I haven't seen a precedent where graves have been robbed for anything other than past times - grave robbing used to be when bodies were being taken and provided for anatomical reasons - but we're talking hundreds of years ago."

Detective Acting Inspector Ben Jarman of Footscray CIU said the offender has left behind some evidence but refused to say what it was specifically.

But he's still stumped at the motive, adding. "There were personal ­effects, but nothing of value was missing. It appears that the human remains are the primary focus of the offender."

CCTV cameras have been set up in the cemetery in case the person or group strikes again.

As their investigation continues, Inspector Jarman admits it's been a difficult time for the victim's families.

"It's very distressing for the families. They expect their loved ones to be put to rest and to have peace," he said.

Topics: Australia