Ian Curtis: Rare stone stolen from grave of Joy Division frontman
The grave of Joy Division star Ian Curtis has been vandalised for the second time after a rare stone was stolen from his plot at Macclesfield cemetery over the weekend.
It also appears that someone had attempted to steal the central stone, which was previously stolen in 2008, and bears an inscription of Curtis’s name, date of death, and the words “Love will tear us apart”, referencing the band’s biggest hit.
A Joy Division fan visiting the grave on Saturday noticed that a central “mowing” stone which held down floral tributes had been removed from the plot.
The top stone on Ian Curtis’s memorial has been removed, without the cemetery’s knowledge.
Ian’s inscribed memorial stone was stolen in 2008 and a replacement securely cemented in place. It appears attempts were made to remove this as well.
Photos (C) Ian Seivwright pic.twitter.com/GB8ilUui0e— Joy Division Central (@JD_Central)
Cemetery staff confirmed the news to Cheshire Live, saying: “A rare mowing stone has been taken or removed, we believe over the weekend. It is about a square foot with a hole for a floral tribute, it is purely there for aesthetics, there is no inscription on it … We have since replaced the stone.”
Curtis died by suicide aged 23 in 1980, having battled epilepsy and depression in his last years.
