A mother in Connecticut is launching a desperate search for a necklace containing her son’s ashes which she lost while on a beach walk Wednesday.

Leslie Soyland realized that her most prized possession was no longer around her neck after returning home from a stroll at her local Calf Pasture Beach, in Norwalk.

Soyland had worn the necklace for ten years — receiving it at the wake of her son, Johnny, who died at age 27 in a car crash on Oct. 3, 2014, according to Connecticut News 12.

“It’s monetarily not worth much, but sentimentally, it’s everything,” Soyland told News 12. 

The jewelry features a small teardrop charm with a heart inside on a 30-inch chain and contains some of her departed son’s cremated remains.

“I just feel like I lost part of – sounds funny but — part of me, you know? And I’m sure there are a lot of people out there that don’t understand it, and probably think it’s strange, but it’s what I had all the time, and it just made me feel close to him, because we were very close,” Soyland told Eyewitness News.

She believes it slipped off her neck when she took a sweatshirt off during her walk on the beach.

The bereft mother says that she traced the steps of her usual 3-mile walk along the coast multiple times in search of the missing piece of personal memorabilia to no avail.

With no luck, she took to Facebook to ask for assistance from locals and was warmed by an overwhelming amount of support.

“There’s been just such an outpouring. I am overwhelmed. I feel so blessed,” Soyland told News 12 while tearing up.

Some neighbors have already made trips to Calf Pasture Beach seeking the lost amulet, according to the outlet — which ran into one such stranger with a metal detector by chance.

“Out of everything bad, something good happens. And the something good is so many people have reached out and so many people have shared things on Facebook and said, ‘Keep your eye out for this. It needs to get back to her.’ That’s touching. That’s an amazing thing,” Soyland told the news station.

Johnny left behind a son when he passed away.

“He was the best father bar none. He was amazing,” his mom said.

The necklace with his ashes has yet to be found.

Several Western Massachusetts officials are asking the state to fund $100 million to create the Connecticut River Watershed Fund as a part of the Environmental Bond Bill, which has been in the works for months in the Legislature.

The letter to Energy and Environment Secretary Rebecca Tepper was signed and supported by officials from seven cities and nine towns, 13 state legislators and two regional planning agencies as an effort to meet the watershed’s new needs brought on by human-caused climate change.

The Connecticut River runs from Quebec to the Long Island Sound, with 67.7 miles of the river and its tributaries running through Western Massachusetts.

A new Connecticut Science Center exhibit celebrates the success of the CBIA Foundation’s Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut challenge. 

The inaugural competition celebrated the state’s rich manufacturing legacy and its world-class workforce.

Featuring 16 Connecticut-made products, the single-elimination, bracket-style competition allowed residents to vote on their favorite product. 

After more than 115,000 votes were cast from August to October, General Dynamics Electric Boat’s Virginia-Class Submarine was announced as the first-ever Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut at the 2024 Manufacturing Summit.

Inspiring Innovations

All 16 finalists are featured in the new display in the center’s Invention Dimension gallery.

“The Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut competition was a way to showcase the incredible quality and variety of manufacturing in Connecticut,” said CBIA president and CEO Chris DiPentima.

“It’s great to have that positive energy around such an important industry for the state and this exhibit is the perfect way to keep that momentum going.

“We hope these 16 products on display can help inspire a new generation to create the future of Connecticut’s economy.”

“The Connecticut Science Center is thrilled to present an exhibit showcasing the exceptional products featured in the Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut competition,” said Connecticut Science Center president and CEO Matt Fleury.

“This special exhibit celebrates Connecticut’s rich manufacturing legacy and highlights the ingenuity, creativity, and excellence that drive our state’s industries. 

“We hope to inspire our visitors with these remarkable innovations, crafted right here in Connecticut, and spark the imaginations of the next generation of makers and innovators.”

‘Collaborative Spirit’

The Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut was made possible through the generous support of CliftonLarsonAllen LLP, CONNSTEP, and the Connecticut Office of Manufacturing. 

“Thank you to the Connecticut Science Center for highlighting the Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut,” said Connecticut chief manufacturing officer Paul Lavoie. 

“We are proud of our long history of making the coolest and most sophisticated products known to humans in Connecticut.

“It is great to see that thousands of visitors will know that Connecticut is really cool!” 

“The collaborative spirit of Connecticut’s manufacturing community is evident in these remarkable products,” said CONNSTEP president and CEO Beatriz Gutierrez. 

“It’s an honor to see them celebrated at the Science Center, where they will spark curiosity and encourage future innovation.”

The Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut exhibit will be on display at the Connecticut Science Center through March 31, 2025.

Nominations are now open for next year’s Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut challenge.