Compton Cemetery Owner Puts Historic Graveyard Up for Sale After Years of Vandalism and Dog Attack

Celeste Bishop cites 'breaking point' after guard dog killed in recent break-in attempt at Woodlawn Celestial Gardens Cemetery.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 10:58pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a damaged cemetery headstone or memorial marker, the harsh flash lighting creating a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic that conceptually illustrates the vandalism and theft that have plagued this historic burial ground.The vandalism and theft at Woodlawn Celestial Gardens Cemetery have taken a heavy toll, leaving the owner with no choice but to put the historic property up for sale.Compton Today

The owner of Woodlawn Celestial Gardens Cemetery in Compton, California, Celeste Bishop, has announced plans to sell the historic property after years of ongoing theft, vandalism, and a recent attack that left one of her guard dogs dead. Bishop said the latest incident, in which someone broke into the cemetery and stabbed three of her dogs, was the 'breaking point' after exhausting efforts to protect the sacred grounds.

Why it matters

Woodlawn Celestial Gardens is one of the oldest operating cemeteries in Los Angeles County, dating back to the 1880s and containing the gravesites of numerous prominent figures and local military veterans. The vandalism and theft have caused hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage, and the owner's decision to sell the property raises concerns about the future preservation of this historic site.

The details

According to Bishop, someone broke into the cemetery property in an attempt to steal equipment and remove metal headstones. During the incident, the intruder stabbed three of Bishop's guard dogs, resulting in the death of one of them. Bishop described the deceased dog as 'not only a protector of these sacred grounds but a member of my family.' The owner said Woodlawn has endured ongoing theft of memorial headstones, repeated trespassing, and verbal attacks from members of the community.

  • On April 12, 2026, Celeste Bishop announced she will be putting Woodlawn Celestial Gardens Cemetery up for sale.
  • On March 17, 2026, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors renewed and increased a $25,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for vandalizing Woodlawn Cemetery in 2024.
  • In January 2024, vandals ripped bronze markers and plaques from headstones and walls of a mausoleum at Lincoln Memorial Park in Carson, causing over $2 million in damage.

The players

Celeste Bishop

The owner of Woodlawn Celestial Gardens Cemetery in Compton, California.

Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors

The governing body that renewed and increased a reward for information on the vandalism at Woodlawn Cemetery.

Holly Mitchell

A Los Angeles County Supervisor who described Woodlawn as 'one of the oldest operating cemeteries in Los Angeles County.'

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What they’re saying

“After exhausting every effort within my power, this most recent tragedy has become the breaking point.”

— Celeste Bishop, Owner, Woodlawn Celestial Gardens Cemetery

“The cemetery contains the gravesites of numerous prominent figures and many local military veterans dating back to the Civil War and the Spanish-American War.”

— Holly Mitchell, Los Angeles County Supervisor

What’s next

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and Crime Stoppers are urging anyone with information on the vandalism at Woodlawn Cemetery to come forward, as no suspects have been identified in the case.

The takeaway

The decision by the owner of Woodlawn Celestial Gardens Cemetery to sell the historic property after years of vandalism, theft, and a recent attack on her guard dogs highlights the ongoing challenges faced by caretakers of sacred burial grounds. This case underscores the need for increased security and community engagement to protect these important cultural and historical sites.