New Information: Local website refutes claims it’s to blame for cemetery vandalism

A local website that promotes El Paso news and events is responding to claims on social media that it is partially to blame for the desecration of graves in a Fabens cemetery.

El Paso 411 had posted a story in October on the Fabens cemetery, La Isla, as part of a series on Halloween. The website publishers said they removed the cemetery’s location from the article after receiving messages from residents concerned about vandalism at the cemetery. El Paso 411 said the vandalism happened before its article was published.

The El Paso Catholic Diocese reported that 30 to 50 tombstones were vandalized at La Isla cemetery Saturday evening.

Damage to the cemetery’s front gate shows that the vandals may have pushed it down to enter the cemetery.

La Isla cemetery was established in the 1800’s. About 200 grave sites are in the cemetery. Dozens of head stones were broken off and some grave sites were completely destroyed beyond repair.

Website publishers of El Paso 411 stated in an article posted on its website, “When the (Halloween) article (about La Isla) was originally published, a disclaimer was included that read ‘This spot may be located on private property. You may need permission to enter the property. Please DO NOT ENTER THE PROPERTY. El Paso 411 assumes no responsibility for those that decide to use this information for anything other than that.'”

El Paso 411 continued, stating it told El Paso County Sheriff’s Office officials about the residents’ concerns. “The sheriff informed El Paso 411 that vandalism at the cemetery (including broken tombstones, littler, graffiti) has been an issue for years,” stated the publisher of El Paso 411.

The statement goes on: “El Paso 411 sympathizes with those affected by the vandalism that occurred on Saturday night. El Paso 411 is equally frustrated as this is obviously not something that our company promotes in our community. El Paso 411 will work with the community of Fabens to track down whomever is responsible and bring them to justice. El Paso 411 also encourages anyone with information to call the El Paso Sheriff’s Office.

“Members of the public can also donate to help bring security to the cemetery by stopping by any GECU and leaving a donation under account number 8324469 with “La Isla” in the memo,” the publisher concluded.

Meantime, the El Paso Catholic Diocese told ABC-7 that it will help some families repair the headstones.

ABC-7 caught up with family members who made their way out to the cemetery to see if their loved ones’ grave sites were destroyed.

After hearing that her great-grandmother’s grave site had been destroyed, one woman who spoke to ABC-7 said she was too emotional to walk over to see the damage herself.

No suspects have been identified. Anyone with information on the crime is asked to call sheriff’s officials or the El Paso Catholic Diocese.