A 55-year-old woman, who became homeless after her husband’s death, stayed at his grave for 8 months. With the help of a police officer and public donations, he got a new house, getting his life back on track.
NewA small act of kindness from a police officer in Syracuse, York, changed a woman’s life. Rhea Holmes, 55, who was homeless for eight months near her late husband’s grave, came back to life with the help of a police officer. This incident that changed Riya’s life happened on 13 December 2025. In the freezing cold, Rhea was trying to climb a hill with some luggage when Syracuse Police Officer Jamie Pastorello spotted her. Jamie took pity on them and drove them to the cemetery in his car. Along the way, Rhea opened up about her 26-year marriage and husband Eddie. But, that day Jamie did not know that she lived there.
Before Christmas, the police department shared a picture of Jamie and Rhea on social media. Seeing this picture, an employee of the cemetery told the officials that Riya lives there. After this, this shocking truth came to light during the police investigation.
over her husband’s grave
After the death of her husband Eddie in 2020, Rhea went into deep depression. He lost his job and was thrown out of his house for not being able to pay the rent. They had no other place to go. Finally, she spread a plastic sheet over her husband’s grave and started sleeping. During the day she served in the church and canteen and at nightfall she would secretly return to the cemetery. He spent eight months like this without complaining to anyone or asking for help.
return to life
After learning the truth, Officer Jamie immediately books a hotel room for them. Later, more than $27,000 (approximately Rs 22 lakh) was raised through GoFundMe. Lemoine College President Linda Lemura also provided them with a temporary place to stay. With the help of an organization that provides homes to homeless people, Rhea moved into her new, fully-furnished home on January 5, 2026. “It was all God’s will. When I needed help, God sent Jamie to me,” Rhea says thankfully. Today Officer Jamie and Riya are good friends.