An Ottawa widow is pleading for the return of her late husband's ashes that were stolen from an urn inside her home.

If there's anybody who's walking around and sees a baggie with ashes in it, pick it up. It could be my dad. - Pamela Dunn, deceased's daughter

Aboriginal singer-songwriter and activist Willie Dunn died last summer. His body was cremated and his ashes were distributed between his family members.

On Sunday, Liz Moore returned home after a vacation to find her home in disarray. She said very little was missing but her late husband's ashes were gone.

"It was a connection to Willie because we lived a long life together," she said.

Dunn's daughter fears the thieves may have thought her father's ashes were drugs.

"They're desecrating his memory," she said. "If there's anybody who's walking around and sees a baggie with ashes in it, pick it up. It could be my dad," said Pamela Dunn.