FL FL - Jacksonville, BlkMale Pre50, Poss. Name Mike/Michael, Nickname "Pepper", Poss. Presented as Different Gender, Found in Transient Camp, Nov'23
- Thread starter Hochman
- Start date
iamshadow21
Amateur Forensics Geek
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2022
- Messages
- 7,628
- Reaction score
- 72,279
A saint image? Maybe Renaissance?A string bracelet usually has a meaning. It could be a connection to his partner or his religion.
What does the red string bracelet mean in Chinese?
Answer (1 of 2): The red string bracelet, also known as "Fate's red string" or "A red thread of fate" (红线å½è¿ hóng xià n mìng yùn) in Chinese, is a symbol of love and destiny. It is believed that the gods tie an invisible red thread around the ankles of those who are destined to meet each...www.quora.com
I don't think it's St George and the dragon, because I can't see a horse, but something like that? Pretty sure there's a sword. Gabriel? Gabriel tends to be depicted with a sword.
ifindedout
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2022
- Messages
- 3,725
- Reaction score
- 16,502
Rotating 180°
iamshadow21
Amateur Forensics Geek
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2022
- Messages
- 7,628
- Reaction score
- 72,279
Could be Angel Michael, too, which given Michael is a possible alternate/former name for this Doe, could make sense.
iamshadow21
Amateur Forensics Geek
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2022
- Messages
- 7,628
- Reaction score
- 72,279
I'm pretty certain it's Michael. It's not identical to the image I linked above, but a lot of the images I'm finding have an identical or almost identical pose replicated. You can even see Satan in the bracelet image, he's the tan smudge on the ground under Michael's left foot ( bottom right side of the image).
Any Catholics or art historians who want to correct me, feel free, this isn't my area.
Any Catholics or art historians who want to correct me, feel free, this isn't my area.
iamshadow21
Amateur Forensics Geek
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2022
- Messages
- 7,628
- Reaction score
- 72,279
There is an official Catholic scapular that shows a blue sky behind Michael, as in the image in the bracelet.
en.m.wikipedia.org
Scapular of Saint Michael the Archangel - Wikipedia
patternsfinder
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Dec 17, 2022
- Messages
- 66
- Reaction score
- 1,002
This bracelet isn't an exact match, but a good example that such red string bracelets with Archangel Michael do exist, and seemingly are often worn for protection.
santamuerteshop.com
Red String Saint Michael
SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL A spiritual warrior in the battle of good versus evil. He is considered a champion of justice, a healer of the sick, and the guardian of the Church. The Patron Saint of grocers, soldiers, doctors, police, and sickness. • A GREAT GIFT - Give this Necklace to yourself...
santamuerteshop.com
iamshadow21
Amateur Forensics Geek
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2022
- Messages
- 7,628
- Reaction score
- 72,279
Hey, great find! That is very close to Pepper Doe's bracelet.This bracelet isn't an exact match, but a good example that such red string bracelets with Archangel Michael do exist, and seemingly are often worn for protection.
Red String Saint Michael
SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL A spiritual warrior in the battle of good versus evil. He is considered a champion of justice, a healer of the sick, and the guardian of the Church. The Patron Saint of grocers, soldiers, doctors, police, and sickness. • A GREAT GIFT - Give this Necklace to yourself...
I didn't know where to look, I thought maybe New Age shops because sometimes they've got pseudoKabbalistic things and a whole section for Angel cards and protective jewellery linked to angelic forces.
MOO
iamshadow21
Amateur Forensics Geek
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2022
- Messages
- 7,628
- Reaction score
- 72,279
I got lucky, I searched for Gabriel because I thought the figure had a sword, and the image search threw up that picture of Michael I linked above that was very, very close in terms of how the figure was positioned. Closer than the Gabriels I'd found. And given the name Michael was already in the mix for this Doe, it makes sense they would have bought it or someone might have bought it for them as a gift.
MOO
iamshadow21
Amateur Forensics Geek
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2022
- Messages
- 7,628
- Reaction score
- 72,279
Thank you, @MadMcGoo ! I was pretty sure I was right, but the image we were working from wasn't the greatest quality, so I was hoping someone more knowledgeable would weigh in. I'm an atheist raised LDS, and LDS don't do saints (despite their name) or that kind of iconography, so my knowledge is sketchy at best.
MOO
- Joined
- Nov 1, 2018
- Messages
- 10,669
- Reaction score
- 36,655
I wish it helped with identifying them.
Honestly, I see those bracelets being sold all over for $5 a piece. But, I’m sure it held some special meaning to them. Past life? Family member? Association to their birth name?
iamshadow21
Amateur Forensics Geek
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2022
- Messages
- 7,628
- Reaction score
- 72,279
You never know. The bracelet alone isn't enough for an ID, I agree. It's cheap and common. A combination of the sketch of Pepper Doe, the expanded detail about tattoos and the bracelet might be enough for a loved one to recognise them. That we've riddled out what an unidentified tattoo and a bracelet are might not make a difference. But the chance that it might makes it worth it for me.I wish it helped with identifying them.
MOO
iamshadow21
Amateur Forensics Geek
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2022
- Messages
- 7,628
- Reaction score
- 72,279
Looking at the other bracelet, on Pepper's other wrist, and to me, that looks VERY like a Zox wristband, but they are generally marked with the word Zox, not a hang loose symbol, to my knowledge. Does anyone know of another company with a hang loose logo who makes 'art' wristbands like Zox does?
Zox wristbands are elasticated bands with limited runs of designs by featured artists. I own some, which I bought several years ago. They generally have uplifting sentiments or messages associated with them, and sometimes have something different printed inside, where it rests against the skin. Because they are limited run, it is possible to date when someone might have bought one. But if this is not Zox, it might not be able to be useful in the same way.
MOO
Zox wristbands are elasticated bands with limited runs of designs by featured artists. I own some, which I bought several years ago. They generally have uplifting sentiments or messages associated with them, and sometimes have something different printed inside, where it rests against the skin. Because they are limited run, it is possible to date when someone might have bought one. But if this is not Zox, it might not be able to be useful in the same way.
MOO
Last edited:
iamshadow21
Amateur Forensics Geek
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2022
- Messages
- 7,628
- Reaction score
- 72,279
Here are some pictures of one of my Zox bands. I am a couple of inches taller and almost a hundred pounds heavier than Pepper, and additionally, I just have naturally chunky thick wrists, really solid bone there, so the medium band would have some slackness for most people, just not me. I suspect that Pepper has a more petite frame and slenderer wrists than I do, and that their wristband is probably a larger diameter than mine.
I know my Zox band is a lot thicker than Pepper's hang loose brand one, but I think Zox did thinner ones, too, I just only bought the thicker width ones, so that's all I had on hand to photograph.
MOO
(Never fear, that isn't my bare leg they're all laid out on, btw, it's just our atrociously peach nineteen eighties leather sofa. It's ugly but comfortable.)
I know my Zox band is a lot thicker than Pepper's hang loose brand one, but I think Zox did thinner ones, too, I just only bought the thicker width ones, so that's all I had on hand to photograph.
MOO
(Never fear, that isn't my bare leg they're all laid out on, btw, it's just our atrociously peach nineteen eighties leather sofa. It's ugly but comfortable.)
Last edited:
iamshadow21
Amateur Forensics Geek
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2022
- Messages
- 7,628
- Reaction score
- 72,279
Anyone else see the tiny surfer on Pepper Doe's elastic wristband? That would fit with the hang loose branding. At first I thought it was a pattern of random swirls or even feathers, but I zoomed right in and spotted a tiny figure on a surfboard!
MOO
MOO
iamshadow21
Amateur Forensics Geek
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2022
- Messages
- 7,628
- Reaction score
- 72,279
Surfer Dude Wristband Bracelet
In a whimsical red & bluesy palette, this abstract watercolor painting highlights the art of a Surfer Dude riding his wave. Available sizes: Extra Small 5.5" (petites + kids)Small 6.5" (most common fitting size)Medium 7.5" (large wrists)Large or Anklet 8.5 " (very large wrists or anklet)1/2"...
hangloosebands.com
Looks like the thing! Again, like the St Michael, cheap, common. Nothing to suggest it's an exclusive style or short run.
Any chance that Pepper Doe is part Asian?
iamshadow21
Amateur Forensics Geek
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2022
- Messages
- 7,628
- Reaction score
- 72,279
There's no indication of that on their NamUs, and their skin tone looks very dark, to me. Doesn't mean they aren't, but their condition was listed as recognisable, so whoever did the recon wasn't working with severely decomposed or damaged remains. They would have had a good idea what Pepper looked like in life.
MOO