Altamonte Springs woman begs thieves to return husband's ashes

Altamonte Springs police said two men posed as pest control employees when they took advantage of a widow and stole her husband’s ashes.

The victim, Ann Ferdinand, said the disguises were so convincing, she felt comfortable with letting them in her home.

Ferdinand says she’s lost her sense of peace.

“I slept two hours on the couch the first night and I can’t go in the bathroom,” she said. “There’s nothing left.”

She said the men took a necklace which had her late husband’s ashes inside, along with her wedding and other jewelry.

“We were married 29 years before he passed away,” she said.

Ferdinand said she's always wearing the necklace, but took off her jewelry because she was working in her garden that day.

This year, Ferdinand decided to place a piece on the necklace she's wearing in a picture to carry her husband Bill’s ashes.

“To be able to wear him every day. He's the love of my life,” Ferdinand said.

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. — Watch: Woman describes how thieves stole her jewelry

One of the men went inside the home with a spray bottle, while the other stayed outside, chatting and keeping her confidence, police said.

"Telling me how dangerous the spray was and that I can't go in there for 20 minutes,” Ferdinand said.

She believed the man were from the homeowner’s association.

It wasn't long after they left that Ferdinand realized the men were up to no good, and she's now left with a more than $10,000 loss.

"If they're out there, you know what? I'm sorry. You're dirt bags,” she said.

She said the thieves can keep every single piece, except for her reminders of Bill.

"Just bring me back my husband. That's all I want," she said.

Ferdinand and a couple of neighbors were able to get a good look at the men.

Police said they'll likely get some composite sketches done so the public can help identify them.

Cox Media Group

Len Kiese