Former Brookville Man Who Allegedly Stole His Grandmother’s Cremated Remains Waives Hearing

JEFFERSON CO., Pa. (EYT) — A former Brookville man accused of stealing his grandmother’s urn and cremated remains following an argument with his grandfather waived his preliminary hearing earlier this week.

According to court records, the following charges against 19-year-old Austin Joseph Spera, of Follansbee, West Virginia, were waived for court on Monday, February 2, before Magisterial District Judge Gregory Bazylak:

Theft By Unlawful Taking-Movable Property, Felony 2
Historic Lots and Burial Places, Misdemeanor 1

The case has been transferred to the Jefferson County Court of Common Pleas.

Spera is currently free on $30,000 unsecured bail.

Details of the case:

According to a criminal complaint, the investigation began on October 21 when a man met with Brookville Borough Police to report the theft. The man told police he allowed his grandson, Austin Spera, to move into his home in January 2025, but told him to move out in late September 2025 because the arrangement was not working, the complaint notes.

When Spera moved out, the man noticed an urn containing his late wife’s remains was missing, according to the affidavit. The man told police he suspected Spera took the urn, the complaint continues.

A witness told police on December 8 that Spera admitted to taking the urn and remains, according to the affidavit. Spera reportedly told the witness he took the items out of anger toward his grandfather, according to the complaint.

Spera allegedly gave the urn to a friend to hold, according to the witness statement. Chief Vince Markle spoke with Spera by phone on December 12, the affidavit states. Spera told the officer he no longer had the urn or the remains, according to the complaint.

Police allege Spera took the remains to West Virginia without permission, the complaint states.

Charges were filed on December 16, 2025, in Judge Bazylak’s office.

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