HEARTLESS thieves have stolen treasured memories of lost son and brother Jackson Baker after a laptop containing irreplaceable photographs and a eulogy for his funeral were taken from the family’s home on The Hill.
His family, already bracing themselves for the emotional service at Christ Church Cathedral on Tuesday, are now offering a reward for the return of the laptop.
Jackson’s body was discovered near Stockton last Wednesday, almost a week after the 20-year-old disappeared walking home to Carrington from a night on the town.
His mother, Fran Baker, said on Monday the laptop was taken from a table inside their Swan Street home on Sunday night as she read Jackson’s younger brother, Lachlan, a story.
Many of the photographs on the Apple 15-inch MacBook Pro computer were not saved and are now feared lost forever.
The family still has some photographs on a camera and on phones, but many recent images are gone.
“We have got what we have and it will still be beautiful and everything, but we still want our memories back, especially for Lachie,’’ Mrs Baker said.
“If it can come back in time for tomorrow then good, but anytime will do.
We need it back, please.
- Fran Baker
Mrs Baker, whose family had been inundated with condolences and offers of help both when Jackson was missing and after his body was found, said they would continue on.
“I just couldn’t believe it last night, we had felt so supported and so loved and then we just felt so bad,’’ she said.
“But the important things are in the right place, they are in our hearts, and that is the most important.’’
Mrs Baker urged the thieves, or anyone who knows about the laptop, to drop it into a police station.
Any information should be forwarded to Newcastle police on 4929 0999 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.