Police hunt for stolen memorial plaques for Buxton crash victims

Police are investigating a “disgusting” theft which saw plaques stolen from a memorial for five high school students killed in a horror crash in Sydney’s outer southwest in 2022.

The plaques were pried off memorial benches displaying names of teenage victims killed in the horror Buxton crash in 2022.

Police are investigating the theft of plagues from a memorial dedicated to five high school students killed in a horror crash in Sydney’s outer southwest in 2022, with the youngest victims just 14 years old.

Summer Williams, 14, Lily Van de Putte, 14, Gabriella McLennan, 15, Tyrese Bechard, 15, and Antonio Desisto, 16, were all killed when 20-year-old Tyrell Edwards crashed a ute into a tree at high speed in Buxton in September 2022.

In the latest blow to the devastated Wollondilly Shire community, police are now investigating after memorial plaques dedicated to each of the five tragic victims were broken off and stolen.

The horror crash which devastated the families of the young victims has been described as one of the darkest days for the region's community. Picture: Facebook

The plaques were pried off memorial benches displaying names of teenage victims killed in the horror Buxton crash in 2022. Picture: Facebook

Five memorial benches, painted in the teens’ favourite colours and bearing plaques with their names, were installed just last year along a reflection walk near Picton High School where the victims all attended as students.

Police believe the plaques were taken on or about June 10 and have appealed to the public for any information or dashcam footage of the incident.

The disgusting incident has been called out by Wollondilly Shire Council Mayor as the act of an “absolute scumbag”. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Wollondilly Shire Council Mayor Matt Gould attributed the acts to an “absolute scumbag” and stated he had rarely ever been so angry.

“To steal memorial plaques of children who died in one of the darkest days in the shire’s history is utterly reprehensible and is the absolute last thing their families needed,” Mr Gould stated.

The memorial dedicated to five high school students killed in a horror crash in Buxton in 2022, with the youngest victims Summer Williams and Lily Van de Putte just 14 years old. Picture: Facebook

The memorial benches were each painted in their favourite colours, installed just last year along a Reflection Walk dedicated to their memory. Picture: Facebook

“I’m ashamed anyone in our community would stoop so low.”

He said he had spoken to several of the families and they were “understandably gutted”.

“The monetary value of the plaques isn’t even worth the effort it … but obviously they have incredible sentimental value to the families,” Mr Gould said.

The memorial is located on Remembrance Driveway, Picton near Picton High School where the victims attended as students. Picture: Facebook

Fellow Wollondilly councillor Suzy Brandstater called the act “completely thoughtless and uncaring” in a Facebook post.

Temporary plaques have been put up by the Wollondilly Shire Council while permanent replacements are being made and generously donated by Phoenix Foundry, a local memorial and plaque business in Uralla.

The plaques were reportedly stolen just after the Kings birthday long weekend on Tuesday June 10. Picture: Facebook

A court heard Edwards was driving at more than double the speed limit when the collision occurred, splitting the car in two and leaving him the only survivor.

Edwards was convicted and sentenced to 12 years in prison with a non-parole of seven years in December 2023 over the devastating event which rocked the entire Wollondilly Shire community.

Edwards was convicted and sentenced to 12 years in prison with a non-parole of seven years in December 2023 over the horror crash.

He will be eligible for parole in July 2030.

Authorities are urging with any information on the incident are urged to contact Camden Police or Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000.

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