Family Offers Reward After Good Samaritan Memorial Vandalized in Riverside

A Riverside County family is reliving the heartbreak of losing their loved one after someone vandalized his roadside memorial.

The memorial is in honor of Rory Nason, a Good Samaritan who died while trying to rescue a crash victim. Family members are now offering a $1,200 reward to find out who knocked down pictures and candles, and sprayed the display with graffiti on Saturday.

The vandalism angered a lot of people who live in the Cabazon neighborhood.

"If you knew Rory he had a heart of gold," said Ashley Pingree, the victim's fiancee. "He cared so much about people and everybody and all he wanted to do is better his life for his kids."

Last February, Rory Nason was driving down Magnolia Street with his kids when he came across a car that had crashed into this power pole.

He immediately got out and tried to open the car door to see if anyone was hurt inside. But power lines had been knocked down from the crash, and Rory was electrocuted.

"He died trying to help somebody, but nobody was in the car. And it's just been a heartache ever since," Lori Nason, his mother, said.

For family members, the spot is sacred, and they continue to add to the memorial.

Pingree visits the memorial every day with their three kids.

"This is the last place that I held him, and I just don't want to let go of him yet," she said.

When people in Cabazon heard about the vandalism, they quickly repainted the crosses and did their best to clean up the memorial. They even added hundreds of dollars to the reward fund.

Family members are grateful for the support, but they are still furious at the vandal or vandals.

"I just hope the people who did this realize what they have done to people's hearts," Lori Nason said.

Anyone with information about the incident can call the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

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