A family is hoping for the return of a sentimental item that belonged to their grandfather, who they say died from coronavirus-related complications.

A gold cross necklace that has been in the Esposito family for the past 40 years is now missing. 

"He went into the hospital with it initially because he never took it off, and then we called the funeral director, the undertaker, and asked them to check if he had it and he had a watch on but not his necklace,” said Jessica Petrosino. 

It was a token of love for Steve and Theresa Esposito, who family members say wore the matching necklaces since the day they got them. 

They both passed away this month and Steve’s necklace went missing. The family says the couple, who were in their 90s, died 10 days apart. 

Theresa died from Alzheimer’s and Steve passed away from COVID-19. 

 

Petrosino says they wanted to keep the necklace in the family for generations to come. "He treasured it, the whole family treasures it and that was going to be a cross that was eventually going to be passed down to his grandsons, and then passed down to their children,” said Petrosino. 

She says her grandfather was moved from NYU Langone Hospital in Brooklyn to Bensonhurst Center for Rehabilitation and Healthcare, but she says the necklace hasn’t been found in either facility. 

Out of fear that the necklace has been stolen, Petrosino says she's taking action and filing a police report. 

News 12 reached out to NYU Langone Hospital in Brooklyn, which says they’re investigating this matter. We’re still waiting to hear back from Bensonhurst Center for Rehabilitation & Healthcare.