A vandal in Shrewsbury, England, has shattered the fictional tombstone of Ebenezer Scrooge, leaving the iconic movie prop from the 1984 adaptation of "A Christmas Carol" in ruins.
Police are investigating the incident, which took place at St. Chad's Church, where the gravestone had become a popular tourist attraction.
The destruction has left the community and visitors disheartened. "There's not much to see other than broken bits of the gravestone," said Town Clerk Helen Ball. "You can't see that it says Ebenezer Scrooge at the moment because it's so damaged. It's hugely disrespectful."
Tourist Draw Ruined Ahead of Holiday Season
The gravestone, a remnant of the beloved Christmas film starring George C. Scott as the miserly business owner, Scrooge, has been a centerpiece of organized tours during the holiday season.
Tourists and locals often visit St. Chad's Church to see locations featured in the movie, where Scrooge famously confronts his fate.
The vandalism occurred sometime between Thursday and Sunday, according to West Mercia Police.
Photos from the scene show the tombstone broken into multiple pieces, its iconic inscription now illegible. Local authorities and residents are now debating whether the stone should be repaired or replaced.
Famed Scene Resonates With Fans
In the 1984 film, an adaptation of Charles Dickens' timeless novella, Scrooge's transformation is catalyzed by visions of his grim future.
In a haunting scene, the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come leads him to a cemetery and reveals his name etched on a gravestone.
Confronted by his mortality, Scrooge vows to change his ways.
The gravestone's destruction has sparked outrage in the community. This time of year, it is "hugely popular" with residents and visitors, Ball said, emphasizing its cultural and historical significance.
Call for Poetic Justice
Shrewsbury locals are expressing both frustration and humor in response to the incident.
Ball light-heartedly suggested that the vandal could benefit from a Dickensian lesson in morality. "If the ghosts of past, present and future would like to visit (the vandals) in the middle of the night and drop them and break them in pieces, I think that would be a perfect punishment," she said.
While police work to identify those responsible, the town faces the challenge of restoring a cherished symbol of holiday cheer.
For now, the vandalized tombstone serves as a stark reminder of the cautionary story of Ebenezer Scrooge.
This article includes additional reporting from The Associated Press
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