From ABC7 New York · · 1m 20s
Mom's ashes vanish in NYCHA renovation
A Brooklyn woman lost over 100 boxes of belongings, including her mother's remains, during a temporary relocation for apartment repairs.
In brief
A Brooklyn woman lost over 100 boxes of belongings, including her mother's remains, during a temporary relocation for apartment repairs. When NYCHA temporarily relocates residents for renovations, personal items can go missing with little accountability, and speaking publicly about problems may trigger lease…
Over 100 boxes vanish
Katrina Gorham returned to her NYCHA Gowanus Houses apartment in August to find more than 100 boxes of her belongings gone after a temporary relocation for renovations.
“I rather the apartment looks horrible, and I just have my stuff and my ashes.”
Mother's ashes in the box
The missing items included a wooden box containing her mother's ashes and a necklace that said grandmother on it, which her son wore for comfort.
“The necklace said grandmother on it, and it was on her neck when she passed away.”
Asbestos forced quick packing
In June, Gorham and her three children were temporarily relocated after crews found asbestos, lead and mold. She had to quickly pack her apartment for abatement work.
“Originally, it would have been in my hands. I wish now that I didn't trust blindly.”
Storage unit was a warehouse
Gorham traced her belongings to a King Street address listed on moving paperwork, but found it was a warehouse, not a secure storage unit.
“When we did go to the storage unit, it was not a storage unit. It was a warehouse.”
NYCHA investigating the claim
NYCHA said it received a property claim and is investigating. Gorham filed a claim but has not recovered her belongings.
Lease terminated after speaking out
After publicly discussing her missing ashes, NYCHA notified Gorham that her lease is being terminated, citing a breach of contract related to a neighbor complaint.
“I didn't want all of this. I just want the stuff back.”
What matters most
When NYCHA temporarily relocates residents for renovations, personal items can go missing with little accountability, and speaking publicly about problems may trigger lease termination.
