One of the oldest cemeteries in Prince George's County, Maryland, has been hit by vandals.

More than 20 headstones in the St. Thomas Episcopal Parish Cemetery were pushed over or damaged, devastating families who have loved ones buried there.

"...Somebody who has no respect for family and family members and the deceased has come and vandalized it. It's unforgivable," said Brenda Duval.

Her husband, mother-in-law and other relatives are buried there. The vandals left her husband's grave alone, but she found on Tuesday that her mother-in-law's headstone had been knocked down.

"It just makes my heart ache. It is just so horrific -- in a place that is so beautiful," Duval said.

Generations of families have been buried in the cemetery, starting in the 1700s.

Prince George's County police believe that multiple people damaged the headstones Thursday night or early Friday.

"We know there are multiple suspects due to the nature of how some of these stones are mounted," Cmdr. David Renner said.

No specific location of the cemetery appears to have been targeted. The vandals appear to have worked quickly to knock over as many gravestones as they could, police said.

St. Thomas Episcopal Parish is a Prince George’s County Historic Site and is on the National Register of Historic Places.



The church estimates the vandals caused about $12,000 in damage. They will count on insurance money and fundraisers to cover the costs.

Police ask anyone with information on the crime to call 301-868-8773. Anyone who wishes to remain anonymous is asked to call 1-866-411-TIPS, text PGPD plus your message to CRIMES or go to www.pgcrimesolvers.com.