Minn. Couple Finds Calif. Woman's Ashes in Storage Unit, Searches for Loved Ones
They discovered the ashes after winning a storage unit at auction in 2011
By Whitney Irick ••
A Minnesota couple is searching for the family of a California woman whose ashes were discovered inside a storage unit they won at auction in 2011. Six years later, they're still searching for the woman's family to return the remains.
In 2011, Amanda Fitzsimmons and her husband won a storage unit at auction in Hermantown, Minnesota. A cardboard box addressed to Carrie Miller of Inglewood was found inside the unit. The box contained remains and a certificate of cremation from Phoenix, Arizona, for a woman named Vonda Jean Range.
The certificate from Serenity Mortuary Services, Inc., states that Range died on March 8, 2004, in Inglewood, California, and was cremated on March 17, 2004.
Fitzsimmons and her husband searched online for possible relatives of Range or Miller, but the phone numbers and addresses led them nowhere.
The couple eventually moved and took the ashes with them.
"We'd see them daily, talk about them often, yet never seemed to look for the rightful owners," Fitzsimmons told NBC4.
Ventura County Fire Department
Santa and Mrs. Claus visited the Thomas Fire base camp Sunday Dec. 24, 2017 as firefighters worked through the holidays.
Shahan Ahmed
Kobe Bryant has his jerseys retired at halftime of the Los Angeles Lakers versus Golden State Warriors at Staples Center on Monday, Dec. 18, 2017 (Shahan Ahmed/NBCLA)
KNBC-TV
Firefighters salute colleague Corey Iverson, killed Dec. 14, 2017 as he helped fight the Thomas fire in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. Firefighters and others lined overpasses and other parts of the procession route in the San Diego area.
Getty Images
A house burns near Casitas Pass Road as the Thomas Fire continues to grow on December 10, 2017 near Carpinteria, California. The Thomas Fire has grown to 173,000 acres and destroyed at least 754 structures so far. Strong Santa Ana winds have been feeding major wildfires all week, destroying houses and forcing tens of thousands of people to evacuate.
Getty Images
A firefighter sprays water on a burning home in the wealthy Bel-Air neighborhood during the Skirball Fire on December 6, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. Strong Santa Ana winds are rapidly pushing multiple wildfires across the region, expanding across tens of thousands of acres and destroying hundreds of homes and structures.
Getty Images
Burned cars and equipment are seen in Little Tujunga Canyon during the Creek Fire on December 6, 2017 near Sylmar, California. Strong Santa Ana winds are pushing multiple wildfires across the region, expanding across tens of thousands of acres and destroying hundreds of homes and structures.
A view of the Hollywood Christmas Parade Sunday Nov. 26, 2017.
Astro Doughnuts
Astro Doughnuts and Fried Chicken in downtown Los Angeles sold USC and UCLA-themed mini doughnuts ahead of Saturday's football showdown at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
AP
UCLA basketball players Cody Riley, left, LiAngelo Ball, right, and Jalen Hill, background center, are surrounded by the media as they leave the Los Angeles International Airport on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2017, in Los Angeles.
Paul Hiffmeyer/Disneyland Resort
Love Disneyland after sundown? Thursday, Jan. 18, is the official launch date of Disneyland After Dark, a series of special nighttime events.
Fans clamor on the Hollywood Walk of Fame as Selena Quintanilla-Perez posthumously receives a star Friday, Nov. 3, 2017, in Los Angeles.
Getty Images
Los Angeles Dodgers fans react as the Houston Astros dominate the Los Angeles Dodgers in the final game of the World Series to take the championship on November 1, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. The battle between the Dodgers and Astros lasted till game seven of the best of seven series. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)
Ray Rodriguez
It may have been a heartbreaking day for the Dodgers, but two fans are lucky in love and got engaged during Game 7 of the 2017 World Series on Nov. 1, 2017.
Getty Images
Former Los Angeles Dodgers players Don Newcombe and Sandy Koufax throw out the ceremonial first pitch before game seven of the 2017 World Series between the Houston Astros and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on November 1, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Riverside County FD
Photos from the Riverside County Fire Department showed black smoke over Perris during a brush and recycling yard fire Wednesday Oct. 18, 2017.
Carlos Garcia
The sky appeared to turn orange in parts of Orange County Monday Oct. 9, 2017 after the Canyon Fire 2 broke out in Anaheim Hills.
Chelsea Morawa
The Canyon fire sends thick smoke over the Corona area Monday Sept. 25, 2017.
Getty Images
A Los Angeles Chargers fan is seen before the team's first home game of the year against the Miami Dolphins at the StubHub Center on September 17, 2017 in Carson, California. Miami won, 19-17. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Firefighters at a Los Angeles ceremony marking 16 years since the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks.
Getty Images
Light rain showers pass over the La Tuna fire burn areas on September 3, 2017 near Burbank, California. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)
AP
A crowd gathers in front of the Hollywood sign at the Griffith Observatory to watch the solar eclipse in Los Angeles on Monday, Aug. 21, 2017. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)
AP
Los Angeles Dodger Yasiel Puig celebrates as he runs to first after hitting a two-run double during the ninth inning to give the Dodgers a 5-4 win in a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox, Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
LoudLabs News
Firefighters had to use all their strength to lift a car off a man after he was hit by a suspected DUI driver on Saturday, August 5, 2017. Two people were hospitalized.
KNBC-TV
A man was airlifted to safety Thursday Aug. 3, 2017 after his pickup was trapped in flash floods in Acton.
Getty Images
Ellen Kershaw, holdingh Charley Kershaw, smile at Clayton Kershaw #22 of the Los Angeles Dodgers as he holds his daughter Cali Ann Kershaw before the game against the Minnesota Twins at Dodger Stadium on July 26, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Uniter States Fish and Wildlife Service
Three king cobra snakes that were smuggled into the US from Hong Kong in potato chip canisters were seized. A Monterey Park man was arrested on federal smuggling charges Tuesday July 25, 2017 in connection with the case.
AP
This Saturday, July 8, 2017, photo released by the Santa Barbara County Fire Department shows the full moon rising over flames on a hilltop near Highway 166 east of Santa Maria in what is known as the Alamo Fire in Santa Barbara County. Wildfires barreled across the baking landscape of the western U.S. and Canada in early July. (Mike Eliason/Santa Barbara County Fire Department via AP)
AP Photo/Richard Vogel
Asian elephant, Shaunzi, the Zoo's newest elephant, kicks up dust while making her first appearance at the Los Angeles Zoo on Thursday, July 6, 2017. The 46-year-old Asian elephant came to Los Angeles from Fresno after its longtime companion died. Shaunzi, who was born in Thailand and spent years in a circus, was introduced to the public this week in the Elephants of Asia exhibit. The pachyderm was trucked 215 miles from Fresno Chaffee Zoo in a special crate last month. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)
AP Photo/Chris Carlson
Emergency responders gather around where a Cessna 310 aircraft crashed on Interstate 405, just short of a runway at John Wayne Airport in Costa Mesa, Calif Friday, June 30, 2017. Two people were injured in the small plane crash. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
AP
Aramazd Andressian Sr., top, a suspect in killing of his missing 5-year-old son, is escorted off a plane in shackles after landing at the Long Beach Airport, Friday, June 30, 2017, in Long Beach, Calif. Andressian Sr. has been extradited to Los Angeles to face a murder charge in the disappearance of his 5-year-old son. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
LA County Fire Department
Red fire retardant dropped by firefighting aircraft coats a property near a wildfire Monday June 26, 2017 in Santa Clarita. The substance called Phos-Chek is given a distinctive color so pilot can see which areas have been covered during a firefight.
Despite the rising temperatures across the country, skiers and snowboarders are still enjoying the slopes at Mammoth Mountain in some seasonal attire.
KNBC-TV
Hundreds of surfers join hands for a minute in a circle off the coast of Huntington Beach to set a Guinness World record for largest surf paddle-out on Tuesday, June 20, 2017.
Kevin Carey
The beginning of the Castaic Fire Saturday June 17, 2017 north of Los Angeles. The fire grew to 800 acres, but was 60 percent contained by Monday June 19, 2017.
KNBC-TV
The LA Resist march leaves downtown Los Angeles during LA Pride weekend Sunday June 11, 2017.
A Los Angeles photographer is giving forgotten furniture 15 minutes of fame. Andrew Ward has amassed some 1,500 images of abandoned sofas during the past five years. Each collection of patterns, styles and imperfections seems to tell its own Angeleno story.
Khallid Shabazz
The massive "Angeli" tunnel-boring machine broke through a wall of dirt at a future subway station in downtown LA.
AP
Firefighters, lower right, work to contain a wildfire that broke out in the Brentwood area of Los Angeles, Sunday, May 28, 2017. A dark plume of smoke was visible for miles as the fire consumed moderate to thick brush near Mandeville Canyon Road, a dead end road that snakes up a deep canyon lined by expensive view homes. A few residents voluntarily left but no homes were damaged. (AP Photo/Brian Melley)
LA Street Services
Workers apply a cool pavement coating to a street Saturday May 20, 2017 in Canoga Park. The coating is designed to reduce temperatures on the the surface of streets during Southern California heat waves.
Marin Austin
Happy Mother's Day! The downtown LA Flower District was in full bloom Sunday, May 14, 2017, offering customers rainbow roses and "forever roses," which could last two years.
KNBC-TV
It was bear's big day out Tuesday, May 9, 2017, in Bradbury. The large bear wandered into the San Gabriel Valley neighborhood before squaring off with a deer and a dog.
KNBC-TV
Caltrans honored workers killed on the job with a powerful memorial Tuesday May 2, 2017.
Dane Davidson
The large bear appears to be the newest resident of a Yucaipa neighborhood on Tuesday, April 25, 2017.
AP Photo/Reed Saxon
Demonstrators take part in a rally and march in downtown Los Angeles, part of the March for Science, Saturday, April 22, 2017. They chanted "Money for science and education, not for wars and climate alteration."
AP
A Metro employee sweeps up around Harriet, the tunnel boring machine, prior to a retirement party at the future Leimert Park Station in Los Angeles Friday, April 21, 2017. The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority held a ceremony to retire the behemoth Friday at the site of the Crenshaw/LAX Transit Project.
Jonathan Gonzalez
A view of Los Angeles State Historic Park on Friday, April 21, 2017, a day before it opened to the public.
Alysia Gray Painter
A dramatic piece by artist Abel Bentin follows the gummy bear room in the Museum of Ice Cream. The pop-up museum is open in the Arts District of Los Angeles for a limited time.
Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images for Coachella
INDIO, CA - APRIL 21: Big Gigantic performs at the Sahara Tent during day 1 of the 2017 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival (Weekend 2) at the Empire Polo Club on April 21, 2017 in Indio, California.
Getty Images
A detailed view of the Jackie Robinson statue is seen after its unveiling at Dodger Stadium on April 15, 2017 in Los Angeles, California.
AP
Nicholas Martinez carries his daughter, Monique, a kindergarten student at North Park Elementary School, on his shoulders after they were reunited at Cajon High School, Monday, April 10, 2017, in San Bernardino, Calif., after a deadly shooting at the elementary school. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
National Park Service
Four-month-old P-54, who may have been born as a result of inbreeding in the Santa Monica Mountains sometime in March 2017.
Twitter @thelocalmalibu
A fake road sign declaring Malibu a sanctuary city was posted Tuesday, April 4, 2017 in Malibu.
AP
Baseball fans pose for a picture in front of a photo of Vin Scully before the start of an opening day baseball game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres, Monday, April 3, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Kang)
Getty Images
So Yeon Ryu of South Korea kisses the winner's trophy after winning the ANA Inspiration on the Dinah Shore Tournament Course at Mission Hills Country Club on April 2, 2017 in Rancho Mirage, California. The ANA Inspiration is one of five annual major championships on the LPGA tour.
Whitney Irick
A temporary pop-up Los Pollos Hermanos restaurant, well known to "Breaking Bad" fans, appeared in downtown Los Angeles Wednesday and Thursday in March 2017.
Getty Images
Kyle Larson, driver of the #42 Target Chevrolet, poses with the trophy in victory lane after winning the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Auto Club 400 at Auto Club Speedway on March 26, 2017 in Fontana, California.
Getty Images
Marcus Stroman #6 of team United States is awarded with the MVP trophy after their 8-0 win over team Puerto Rico during Game 3 of the Championship Round of the 2017 World Baseball Classic at Dodger Stadium on March 22, 2017 in Los Angeles, California.
Getty Images
Elisha Barno of Kenya takes first place in the 2017 Skechers Performance Los Angeles Marathon on March 19, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jonathan Moore/Getty Images for LA Marathon)
Jon Lindquist
Jon Lindquist "slacklines" over Ortega Falls in this undated photo. National Park Service officials recently learned of the stunt and are concerned of the dangers, but thrill seekers insist it's safe.
Susan Manley
Diamond Valley Lake wildflowers are blooming in the hills near Hemet on Thursday, March 9, 2017.
Getty Images
Musician Chris Martin performs onstage at the 2017 iHeartRadio Music Awards which broadcast live on Turner's TBS, TNT, and truTV at The Forum on March 5, 2017 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images for iHeartMedia)
Getty Images
Roger Federer of Switzerland in action during a practice session on day four of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 9, 2017 in Indian Wells, California. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Getty Images
A woman looks at balloons covering a polling place at the Hollywood Sunset Free Clinic as Angelenos go to the polls on March 7, 2017 in the Silver Lake section of Los Angeles, California. Voters headed to the polls as LA Mayor Eric Garcettis is seeking reelection against a field of 10 challengers. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)
Mike Bebernes
The International Women's Day March drew participants to downtown Los Angeles Sunday March 5, 2017.
Victor Decolongon/Getty Images
Los Angeles Kings broadcaster Bob Miller addresses the fans during a rally at Staples Center. Miler retired from broadcasting due to health reasons on Thursday, March 2nd, 2017.
Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP
Jordan Horowitz, producer of "La La Land," shows the envelope revealing "Moonlight" as the true winner of best picture at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Presenter Warren Beatty and host Jimmy Kimmel look on from right. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
AP
Theresa Mendoza, who said she had been formerly homeless and knew the officer, adds a rose to a growing memorial for Whittier, Calif., Police Officer Keith Boyer in Whittier Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2017. Boyer was killed in a shootout during a traffic stop Monday. Boyer and Officer Patrick Hazell didn't know that the motorist allegedly had killed his cousin hours earlier in neighboring East Los Angeles and stolen his car. Boyer died and Hazell and the suspected gunman were wounded and hospitalized. (AP Photo/Nick Ut)
Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP
Scenic artist Rick Roberts of Local 800 paints Oscar statues for Sunday's 89th Academy Awards red carpet, near the Dolby Theatre on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2017, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
KNBC-TV
Two cars were trapped in a large sinkhole in Studio City after a period of intense rain Feb. 17, 2017.
A pilot and his mother were thankful to have survived after his small plane made a hard landing Wednesday Feb. 15, 2017 on a race track at the Fairplex in Pomona.
Getty Images for NARAS
Host James Corden performs onstage during The 59th GRAMMY Awards at STAPLES Center on February 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for NARAS)
Thomas Bravo
An Iranian man sent back on a plane after arriving at LAX under the travel ban returns once more under a court order, embracing his niece Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017.
AP
Police officers block demonstrators from marching on the lower roadway during a protest against President Donald Trump's executive order banning travel from seven Muslim-majority countries, at Los Angeles International Airport on Sunday, Jan. 29, 2017. (AP Photo/Ryan Kang)
Wendar Fu
Residents captured images of an unusual hole-punch cloud formation in January 2017. This one was taken by Wendar Fu in Torrance.
Santa Barbara County Fire Department
A storm Friday Jan. 20, 2017 caused flooding and debris flows in the El Capitan Canyon area of Santa Barbara.
Loud Labs
A car crashed into the iconic Bob's Big Boy in Downey, flipping and smashing through a window Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2017.
Dale Frink Photography/Davey's Locker Sportfishing and Whale Watching via AP
This Jan. 7, 2017 photo by Dale Frink shows an orca and a calf, part of a pod of four swimming about a mile offshore in Southern California. Orcas, also known as killer whales, are more commonly associated with Mexican waters further south and rarely seen this far north. (Dale Frink Photography/Davey's Locker Sportfishing and Whale Watching via AP)
Getty Images
Actresses Meryl Streep (L) and Viola Davis attend a ceremony honoring Viola Davis with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on January 5, 2017 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Wide receiver Darreus Rogers #1 of the USC Trojans celebrates after defeating the Penn State Nittany Lions 52-49 to win the 2017 Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 2, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Toni Guinyard
A family sits out in the cold and drizzle to watch the annual Rose Parade on Monday, Jan. 2, 2017.
David Lerner
Angelenos woke up to surprise on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017 after a prankster altered the iconic Hollywood sign to read "HOLLYWeeD" overnight.
KNBC-TV
Los Angeles police search Fertitta Hall on the USC campus after receiving calls about a possible shooting on Monday, Oct. 2, 2017. The report turned out to stem from a teacher who falsely told students there was "an active shooter" on the campus.
She took to social media on Aug. 4 to help solve the mystery. The Facebook post has garnered more than 3,200 shares so far.
Fitzsimmons says she's "so grateful to see so many people care to help."
Sifting through hundreds of comments, she's reached out to many possible relatives through Facebook, but each person has replied that there's no relation to Range.
"I'm currently waiting on a few other responses and hope that someone is found."
But, in the meantime, Fitzsimmons says she and her husband will not let the ashes be thrown out.
