WEST PARIS – It has been more than a week, but Tina Loring is still not over the shock.

The day after Thanksgiving, someone broke into her mobile home and trashed the place. The damage was severe. But the worst of it is far more personal.

The suspect broke open an urn containing the ashes of Loring’s 12-year-old daughter. The urn was smashed, the ashes scattered throughout the home.

“It wasn’t a robbery,” the 37-year-old Loring said Wednesday night. “We feel it was a very personal attack.”

Police this week were still searching for a suspect who broke into the Tuelltown Road home Nov. 26.

Investigators agree the break-in appeared to be a personal attack. Few items were stolen. A butcher knife was stuck in one wall and more than five dozen holes were punched into others. Furniture was slashed and a television demolished.

Whoever committed the crime apparently took some time to break open the marble urn with a hammer before the ashes were strewn.

“The urn was in the living room. It was carried to the hall,” Loring said. “He ripped the bag inside and spread the ashes in the hall and into a bedroom.”

Loring’s daughter, Cassie Bennett, died eight years ago of a brain tumor. The desecration of the girl’s remains leads investigators to regard the crime as more than a break-in, police said.

“It’s sick,” said Oxford County Chief Deputy Jim Davis. “We all feel bad for her.”

Loring said a camera and a small amount of change were missing from her home. Most items were either demolished or thrown around.

The case remained under investigation Wednesday night. Oxford County Deputy Justin Brown was leading the investigation. Police said there are suspects, but more information is needed before an arrest can be made.

“We’re hoping someone will come forward,” Davis said.

Anyone with information about the break-in is asked to call the Sheriff’s Department at 743-9554. Anonymous tips may be left by pressing option 4 at that number.