A Harlem man who faithfully served his country during the Vietnam War has become the victim of the ultimate identity theft – someone stole his grave.
The shocking discovery came to light late last week as funeral director Isaiah Owens was preparing the body of Willie Hayes, who died Sept. 30, for its final resting place at a Long Island national cemetery for war heroes.
“I called Calverton National Cemetery to make the final arrangements. They gave us clearance to bury him,” said Owens, who owns the Isaiah Owens Funeral Home in central Harlem.
“Two days later, they called the funeral home back and said they couldn’t schedule him for interment because they [already] have a Willie Hayes with the same Social Security number and the same date of birth and the same [military] service information.”
Owens found himself furiously working with officials at Calverton National Cemetery to resolve this sensitive and painful matter for Hayes’ family, who expected to bury their beloved family member in quiet dignity.
“The person that is buried there now got this Willie Hayes’ information and used it in his life,” said Owens, who learned from Calverton officials some basic information about the other man whose date of death is listed as Nov. 8, 2003. “[The impostor] had no relatives. The city arranged for his burial.”
“They [the cemetery] called the nursing home where he died, and they found out he had two different Social Security numbers and two different dates of birth.”
Owens said he has never seen a case like this.
“I thought it can’t be possible,” Owens said of his reaction to Calverton telling him the soldier’s remains were already buried. “Willie Hayes is ready to be buried.”
As of last Friday, Hayes’ family was faced with the predicament of heading to Calverton with no place to bury their war hero.
Willie Hayes, 59, who died on Sept. 30, was a dialysis patient and apparently died prematurely from a hemorrhage.
Hayes, who worked in the printing industry after he served in the Army, earned a National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal and Vietnam Service Medal, said Owens.
On Friday, Hayes’ hearse led a cortege of six limousines carrying over 100 relatives, including his 85-year-old mother, Annie Mae Hayes, who were uncertain if his body was going to be received as they pulled up to Calverton.
“We were stopped at the gate,” said Sylvester Hayes, Willie’s brother. “It was approved. He was buried in section 31, site 805.”
“Everyone was so amazed,” he added. “We thought he wasn’t going to be buried.
Calverton’s offices were closed over the weekend and officials did not return messages.
The other man who was buried under Hayes’ personal information and military credentials almost four years ago is buried in section 24, site 1465.
“I’ve heard about identity theft in life,” said Owens. “I didn’t know you could steal a burial plot.”