Victims speak out against Monument Advisors in Grand Island over undelivered headstones

GRAND ISLAND, Neb.— It’s been more than two years since Michelle Tatro ordered a headstone from Monument Advisors in Grand Island and nothing has been delivered to her. Her son’s grave sits without a headstone and she’s still waiting for an answer. 

“At this point we are nervous we’re not even getting headstones or money,” Tatro said. 

Tatro's two-year-old son, whom she affectionately called Rex Star, died in 2020. The family knew they wanted to have a headstone in the shape of a star. Thanks in part to a GoFundMe page, they got the money and ordered it. In February 2021 they paid $5,000 to Monument Advisors owner Kelli Lepler.

Tatro said Lepler told her it would be a long process because of the black India granite she wanted. In May 2021, Tatro said Lepler contacted them saying she wouldn't start the etching without the full balance. In total Tatro paid Lepler more than $7,000.

“It’s been a long and difficult situation just to know that this still isn’t done,” Tatro said. "I mean we were, for like seven months last year, we really thought his headstone was almost done." 

Tatro isn’t the only one. People have filed nearly 50 fraud and theft reports against Monument Advisors with the Grand Island Police Department. Most of them have a similar story: the business took their money but hasn't provided the product. 

Rose Adrian lives in Kearney and ordered a headstone when her 16-year-old son died in 2020. Then, she didn't hear anything for a year.

“So I called over and I was told that they had employment issues and, mind you this was in 2021 now as were talking, my son had passed away in 2020 and it is 2023 and so I followed up a couple of times and just met with ‘It’ll be in this spring, it’ll be this spring’ and it never happened. Never happened,“ Adrian said. 

Adrian said they told her the headstone would be put in this spring. 

“The thing that really hit the hammer with me or hit it home with me is that we haven’t received a request for the photograph that goes on his headstone,” Adrian said. "So, if it's supposed to be placed by now why hasn’t the picture been requested?"

About a month ago, Adrian called Lepler. She told Adrian they were still on track but she was having a hard time keeping workers. She didn’t give specific details but told Adrian she would get it done. 

“I want to know what’s going on with the memorial stones you know, we’re all trying to put a rest this grief that we are experience this is how we memorialize our family members forever,” Adrian said.

Adrian paid a total of $3,000 to Lepler. 

NCN contacted Monument Advisors but didn't get a response. A sign outside the business says it's short-staffed. 

On April 19, police executed a search warrant at the business. Captain Jim Duering said police have established enough concern to continue to investigate this as a criminal matter, but said officers aren’t  giving interviews. He warns the process could take a long time as investigators are going through a lot of records and transactions. Police plan to meet with victims later this month. 

Tatro hopes this situation gets resolved soon.

“I feel like it’s very disrespectful for all of our loved ones that have unmarked graves when we put the effort into getting the money and paying for it," Tatro said. "We did our part and she should do her part.”

For now, the burial spot for Ryker Dean Tatro will remain unmarked, but Michelle Tatro hopes that changes soon. She said she and other victims will likely purchase headstones from a different company.