Veteran's ashes, flag stolen from widow's SUV

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A military veteran's cremated remains were stolen from his widow's vehicle just hours after she picked them up from the funeral home. She's asking for help in finding all she has left of her husband.

Nikki Luedeke's husband, Danny, died from cancer earlier this month. She picked up his cremated remains Wednesday and was eating dinner at the Captain Tom's restaurant along the East Freeway near Frankie Street when thieves broke into her vehicle.

They stole a box containing Danny's ashes, his death certificate and an American flag. Danny was a retired Marine who served in the Vietnam War and passed away from cancer earlier this month.

She has a message for the thieves.

"It's pretty low. Just return him. I want my husband," she said.

She was supposed to drive back home to Buffalo, Texas, which is why the urn was still in her vehicle.

The Harris County Sheriff's Office is investigating. Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.