Mystery As Virgin Mary Statue Begins To Cry After Owner's Cousin Was Murdered (Photo)

A weeping' Virgin Mary statue has shocked many as the owner said the strange occurrence began when her cousin was murdered 18 months ago.

Maria Cardenas has described the mysterious crying as a "miracle" and says she shares the tears she collects from the figure with anyone that visits her.

Although Cardenas said she "doesn't understand why she's doing it" she believes it could be linked to the death of her cousin, Jessie Lopez.

Cardenas, from Fresno, California, received the statue as a Mother's Day gift 10 years ago.

But when Lopez was murdered 18 months ago Cardenas says tears began to well up in the sculpture's right eye and stream down her face.

Neighbour Richard Quintana said he "wanted to come see for myself" after he was invited to take a look when he moved in across the street.He added:

"That's amazing. It takes the words out of my mouth-- like wow. I'm so amazed." “We’ve had priests come from all over to look at her, and all they say is that it’s a miracle.

We’re not hiding her, but at the same time we don’t want anything to happen to her,” the statue’s caretaker told a local ABC affiliate. The man asked to remain anonymous for his interview.