Family, cemetery reinstall SpongeBob headstones but with changes
Historic cemetery removed slain soldier's headstone in October
The controversy over SpongeBob headstones at Spring Grove Cemetery appears to have come to an end.
The resolution comes exactly one year after the murder of 28-year-old Army Sgt. Kimberly Walker. Her family had selected monuments of the cartoon character SpongeBob SquarePants for Kimberly and her twin sister, Kara, who is currently in the Navy.
View photos of the original headstones
The family said SpongeBob was Kimberly’s favorite character.
Initially Spring Grove agreed to the monuments, but later said the large statues did not meet the standards of the historic cemetery.
WLWT first broke the story last October. Since then the two sides and their lawyers have been working on a resolution.
Officials at the cemetery confirmed what sources told WLWT that an amicable solution had been reached and Spring Grove has erected all monuments that were approved, to the specifications of the Walker family.
In a statement released to WLWT, the cemetery said, “Spring Grove Cemetery apologizes to the Walker family. Our personnel oversaw the design and installed the SpongeBob monuments and then had them removed when concerns were raised by others. We deeply regret the distress this caused the family. We have worked hard to remedy the problem and appreciate the cooperation we received from the family during this process.”
The original monuments were reinstalled Friday but full granite slabs were also erected to shield the headstones from passersby.
Through their attorney, the Walkers said they were pleased with the cemetery’s apology and that the original SpongeBob figures were included in the monuments.
“The peace the family can now enjoy at Kimberly’s graveside on the beautiful grounds of the historic Spring Grove Cemetery will help them find the strength to endure the upcoming trial of the man accused in her death,” the Walker’s statement said.
On Valentine’s Day 2013, police in Colorado Springs found Sgt. Kimberly Walker dead in her hotel room. Her boyfriend, also a solider, was later arrested and charged with the murder.
