The family of a nine-year-old boy who was killed in a Manitoba plane crash last year has issued a tearful plea for the return of a necklace containing the boy’s ashes that was stolen from a truck in Edmonton Friday.

"It was like losing him again, for me … because I don’t know where it is," Crystal Pentecost told reporters Tuesday.

"It’s my son, and I don’t know and I feel guilty that I should have done more."

This cross pendant, about four centimetres by two centimetres, has five crystals and hangs on a silver chain. It holds the remains of Dawson Pentecost. (Edmonton Police Service) Dawson Pentecost, 9, was among four people killed in February 2013 when a Cessna went down in a field near the community of Waskada in southwest Manitoba.

The family moved to Edmonton just two weeks ago. Crystal Pentecost says they received a call last week saying that someone had tried to steal the truck and, when that failed, stole some items from inside the vehicle.

“I could hear my husband say ‘just tell me one thing, just tell me Dawson’s ashes are still there.' And they weren’t."

Pentecost doesn’t think the thief knows what the pendant really is and is hoping it will be returned.

Edmonton police Const. Michael Roblin says the pendant can be dropped off at an EPS station anonymously.

"When they told me what had been taken, it was heartbreaking," he said.

"It was one of those things that insurance can’t replace."

'We want it returned'

Dawson's family members all have similar pendants containing his ashes. Crystal Pentecost says the stolen pendant had been hanging in the truck since May of this year.

"Dawson loved his dad’s truck, so we thought it would be appropriate …. because now he can go on as many rides as he wants," she said.

The pendant, about four centimetres by two centimetres, contains five crystals and hangs on a silver chain.

"We want it returned ... so he can be home where he belongs, with his family."

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Edmonton police at 780-423-4567 or #377 from a mobile phone.

Anonymous information can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online.