'Terrible thing:' Burial site of 15-year-old girl vandalized in Durham

Anika James’ resting place in the Maplewood Cemetery was apparently vandalized sometime between Wednesday and Thursday night.

Her parents are now looking for the person(s) responsible.

“We’re really hoping that maybe some people were passing by. Maybe some people saw what was going on,” Anika’s father Robert James said.

Anika died in 2006 at the age of 15. Her family has paid great attention to detail and taken pride in her resting place.

“It’s like a sanctuary,” her mother Mahtaj James said. “For those that did that, if they’re listening, I hope they understand what a terrible thing they have done.”

It’s now littered with overturned flowers, scattered dirt, and the stuffing from what was once a doll.

A sculpture sits as the centerpiece of the site, with intricate design and symbolism.

“The nine-pointed star…that’s one of the symbols of the Baha’i faith,” Robert explained. “Then, we have music notes at the top for one of her favorite songs: the ‘Seasons of Love’ from the movie, Rent.”

In honoring her legacy, the family also created a foundation in Anika’s honor, which offers scholarships and raises money for educational and performing arts projects across the world.

WRAL asked the couple if there was any reason Anika’s site would be targeted.

“We have no idea,” they both said.

The two said they have been in contact with Durham Police and inquired about security footage from the cemetery. Security footage of the site itself is not available.

A nearby site also appears to have been vandalized.

Durham PD did not immediately respond to WRAL’s requests for more information.