Speaking to abc7, Sue said she couldn't breathe when she realised her son's ashes had been stolen.
Elmhurst Police confirmed they were called to a home in Melrose on Tuesday after receiving a report of a residential burglary.
Sue revealed it was that upon visiting their home, it was the police who noticed the dust was 'disturbed' on the cabinet where they kept their son's memorial.
'I couldn't breathe. I couldn't believe it. Of all the things to take. Take everything. None of it matters,' she said.
Jim added he thought that someone may have taken the box thinking it may contain jewellery.
'That's all we can think of,' he added.
Police are continuing to search CCTV footage from the neighbourhood in the hope they can catch the criminal.