Woman sues relative for 'grave-snatching'

A German woman is threatening legal action after her aunt-in-law "stole her grave" and was buried in it instead.

Christa Jahn, 73, from Frankfurt, bought a grave right next to her husband Hans' and expected to be able to rest in peace next to her beloved.

But she says she was shocked to learn her husband's family had buried his aunt, Johanna Woyte, in her grave.

The widower said: "When I went to lay fresh flowers on my beloved Hansi's grave, I saw in horror that the grave next to his, which I paid for with my own money, was taken by his aunt. I thought my heart would explode.

"Now I understand why Hans' family did not invite me to her funeral this January. It was an evil plot to snatch my grave.

"I now say to the Evangelical Church that runs the cemetery: Give me back my grave, or I will take legal action."

Anneliese Gerlach of the local Evangelic Church community said: "I thought they all had arranged things among themselves and had no reason to think there was any dispute."