Police investigation begins after arson attack on Wisbech memorial to ‘hero father’

Police have confirmed that an investigation is taking place into the arson attack on a memorial to a Wisbech man.

The memorial for Arvydas Petrauskas located on the River Nene in Wisbech, was set on fire on Tuesday evening.

Mr Petrauskas’ body was found in the river last month after he had been missing for around two weeks.

Cambridgeshire Police has confirmed that an investigation into the arson attack is now taking place.

The fire destroyed flowers and other personal items left on the memorial.

A police spokesperson said: “We were called on Wednesday at about 10.45am with a report that a memorial had been set on fire at the River Nene at Wisbech.

“A crime was raised for arson, and enquiries were made. The investigation has now been filed pending any information coming to light.”

Arvydas, 31, was last seen alive on Friday, March 31.

Some 13 days later, his body was discovered in the River Nene in Wisbech.

Relatives set up a GoFundMe page after his death to help get his body home to Lithuania. It raised around £3,000.

Arvydas, who was born in Lithuania on November 26, 1993, was a beloved son, dad, and husband, and his death has left a profound impact on those who knew him.

After moving to the UK at around 14 years old, he had a successful career as a multi-skilled engineer and had two children – a daughter who is 11 years old and a son who is now seven years old – with his ex-wife, Ieva Stadaliute.