Gulf Shores, Ala. – (OBA) – A decorated urn containing human ashes washed up on Gulf Shores beach this past week, starting a mystery that local police have now solved. The container was discovered by people walking along the shore on West Beach on April 17.

The urn had no name or identification on the outside. This made it hard for investigators to figure out who it belonged to. But their search took a turn when they looked inside the container.

Detectives found a small disk hidden among the ashes. This tiny clue led them to a crematory in Ohio. The crematory had records that helped police identify the deceased person and contact their family.

The family told police they were honoring their loved one's final wish. Just two days before the urn was found, a family member had released it into the Gulf of Mexico from Gulf State Park Pier.

Instead of sinking, the urn floated and eventually washed ashore about 3.5 miles west of where it was released. The family was surprised but thankful to get it back.