Ian Curtis: Rare stone stolen from grave of Joy Division frontman

This marks the second time the singer’s grave has been vandalised since 2008

Joy Division in concert at the Electric Ballroom, London, in October 1979. Curtis died by suicide seven months later (Rex)

The grave of Joy Division star Ian Curtis has been vandalised for the second time after a rare stone was stolen from his plot at Macclesfield cemetery over the weekend.

It also appears that someone had attempted to steal the central stone, which was previously stolen in 2008, and bears an inscription of Curtis’s name, date of death, and the words “Love will tear us apart”, referencing the band’s biggest hit.

A Joy Division fan visiting the grave on Saturday noticed that a central “mowing” stone which held down floral tributes had been removed from the plot.

Cemetery staff confirmed the news to Cheshire Live, saying: “A rare mowing stone has been taken or removed, we believe over the weekend. It is about a square foot with a hole for a floral tribute, it is purely there for aesthetics, there is no inscription on it … We have since replaced the stone.”

Curtis died by suicide aged 23 in 1980, having battled epilepsy and depression in his last years.