Human ashes found in boot of stolen car

A box containing what appears to be human ashes has been found in the boot of a stolen car, sparking a search for its rightful owner.

The box was found by police in the boot of a stolen hire car in Benjamin Street, Parkville in September 2017, but despite several inquiries they are yet to identify its origin.

The car, reported stolen after it failed to be returned to Melbourne Airport the February before, is believed to have been used in numerous heists across the northern suburbs.

Three men who were seen in the car were later arrested and charged, however the car wasn’t discovered until September last year.

Police have released a series of images of the wooden box in the hopes of reuniting the ashes to their rightful owner.

The dark wooden box has gold embellishments decorating the lid, and a key hole on the front. Inside the box is a plastic bag holding the ashes.

Anyone who may have any information is urged to contact the Melbourne North Police Station on 8379 0800.