Crime Scene Investigation
Michelangelo was commissioned to build a tomb in 1505. Like the crime scene investigation you are about to read on this page, the "tomb", with the central feature of the statue of Moses, became one of the greatest disappointments of Michelangelo's entire life!
For unexplained reasons, Pope Julius II who commissioned it, continually interrupted the commission and because of these constant interruptions, it took the great renaissance man 40 years to complete.
The statue of Moses was never finished to Michelangelo's satisfaction, although he felt this was his most life-like creation. It was so life-like, in fact, that, upon his completion, Michelangelo struck the right knee of Moses, commanding the marble masterpiece to "Now Speak!" - Michelangelo felt that life was the only thing left inside of the marble.
Frustrating 10 Year Crime Scene Investigation
Deputy Kari Lee and the Josephine County Major Crimes Detectives of the Josephine County Sheriff's Office in Grants Pass, Oregon, know exactly the frustration Michelangelo must of felt over 500 years ago when he commanded life from stone to speak.
They have been hammering away at a crime scene investigation, for over 10 years now, trying to find the key to identifying a young woman and the only "hard" evidence they have are these two rings. The young girl was discovered deceased August 1971, with no identification near the California/Oregon border. This case is one of the hardest of all the unsolved crimes in the Josephine County.
No marble statue was she, but made of flesh and blood, a young woman who had a mom, dad, possibly sisters and brothers, friends and maybe a boyfriend or partner.
These two rings, and a few remnants of clothing held in the sheriff's property office are all that remain.
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One ring has a silver colored twisted double wire band with an open back and set with an oval MOP imitation in a distinct setting. Note the letters AL scratched into the surface. The ring in the left image above is a Sterling Silver band marked STERLING with diagonal chevron style banding and the sponsors mark M-H between two arrows on the inside band.
The sponsor mark for McGrath-Hamin, Inc. (Manufacturing Jewelers, Providence, RI, USA) - ca 1950s -1980s is the letter M between two arrows. Is the M-H marking a variation of the letter M between arrows. Does the longer variation represent a certain time period in the McGrath-Hamin, Inc, history. i.e after incorporation?
The rings are not what you'd describe as "beautiful" but not easy to forget either. Does anyone remember seeing these two rings, or the girl wearing them before August 1971? Or does anyone remember selling the rings? The artisan who made this MOP ring can now speak up! Maybe someone could provide a distribution list of McGrath-Hamin, Inc - the manufacturer of the Sterling Silver ring band?
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If you have any information that might help to identify this girl, or either one of these two rings, NOW IT'S YOUR TURN TO SPEAK - it just might help to solve this crime scene investigation. Maybe you might remember this woman? Kari appreciates all comments from around the world, submitted, no matter how insignificant you think the information might be. |
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Photo top of page: The Moses (c. 1513–1515) is a sculpture by the Italian High Renaissance artist Michelangelo Buonarroti, housed in the church of San Pietro in Vincoli in Rome.
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