CO - Jessica Ridgeway, 10, Westminster, 5 Oct 2012 - #14

[Backwoods]

I'm still a little behind in the thread, so excuse if this already has been suggested:

Maybe it is possible tests detected that the cross had been in contact with a substance that could be the type of "chemical" used on the cloth in the Ketner Lake abduction attempt.

 

[Backwoods]

I knew exactly what it was the second i saw it..it is called a comfort cross.often times made from olive wood... I learned of them from Lauren Giddings mothr after her daughter, lauren was murdered and dismembered...someone gave Lauren's mom a comfort cross..they are small for the sheer purpose having with you and being able to grasp hold of them tightly during a time of distress...also morgan ingram's mom, Toni said she was given a comfort cross as well to bring her comfort aftr her daughters death..that is exactly what this cross is..a comfort cross..

Just google comfort cross and the images that come up will look just like this one..

Heres a link telling more about them..
http://www.mycomfortcross.com/

That cross came right to my mind, too, Smooth, as shouldn't be surprising -- but isn't the cross in the current case a lot smaller than the "clinging crosses" that are made to fit hands?

 

[Stash777]

BBM
Yep, you are correct. That is what Trevor said in this video, they looked for a replica on the internet and locally and came up empty handed so they decided to turn to the public for help which I don't think is a bad thing. I would not be surprised if the cross is hand made and one of a kind. Hopefully someone will recognize it and report it's ownership so the owner can be investigated and ruled in or out as to being involved in Jessica's death.

http://kdvr.com/2012/10/19/police-s...-that-could-lead-to-jessica-ridgeways-killer/

BBM and jumping off your post.

I am horrible with sculpting things (not a talent of mine by any means!), but how hard would it be to carve out a cross like this? The cross posted by WPD is asymmetrical, so that doesn't seem as hard to replicate. But at the same time, the cross appears to be finished (i.e. smooth edges even at the corners), so would this person be artistic if this is handmade (or given to the person by a friend who made it?). I've tried finding something similar, but the crosses I am finding are different from the one posted by WPD.

 

[enzeder]

sean62185, You asked above if there were 3 etches on both sides. Here is a photo of the other side. More close up photos at below link.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...longed-man-murdered-Colorado-10-year-old.html

 

[21merc7]

You can get those crosses nearly anywhere. International non-profit stores, religious goods stores, headshops, flea markets, mall kiosks, you name it.

Smooth is right in that they are usually made of olive wood, sometimes soft stone-usually said to be of religious significance.

The three marks could have been put there by the owner as an initial, or to symbolize the three holies. Patterns of three are significant in Christianity. If you've never noticed before, the easiest way to start looking for it is the last few days of Christ.

They could also have been put there by the person that carved them, a lot of goods from other countries will have the initials of the maker etched in.

 

[marlywings]

This pic of the cross may have been posted earlier...reposting it for those who haven't seen it as I think it's such an important piece of information. It gives a good idea of the actual size with the tape measure next to it.

http://www.ksdk.com/news/article/343769/28/Cross-could-be-crucial-clue-in-Jessica-Ridgeway-case

 

[Elley Mae]

I think Jessica probably found the cross and it was in her backpack and her mother didn't know about it. It appears to me from a necklace. jmo

 

[MizStery]

You can get those crosses nearly anywhere. International non-profit stores, religious goods stores, headshops, flea markets, you name it.

Smooth is right in that they are usually made of olive wood, sometimes soft stone-usually said to be of religious significance.

The three marks could have been put there by the owner as an initial, or to symbolize the three holies. They could also have been put there by the person that carved them, a lot of goods from other countries will have the initials of the maker etched in.

First,a little background into the reasoning behind my post. The last few months I have been reading reference books about the Free Masons and the meaning of their marks and symbols (and their influence)in the design of Washington D.C.

There are many references in these books to philosophy and it's disciplines. One of which is metaphysics. I am not familiar with much of these arcane teachings ....but wondered if the significance of the cross could be as a talisman,invocation or amulet?

I believe posters have done an exhaustive search on the internet attempting to identify the cross. I hope and pray someone will recognize having seen this particular cross and LE can capture this dangerous predator before he can strike again. I pray for swift justice for sweet Jessica and closure for her loved ones.MOO

 

[Elley Mae]

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/new...ica-ridgeways-killer-need-help-identifying-it

Police are also looking for a local business that may sell these specific crosses. Police believe there may be a connection between the Jessica Ridgeway murder and the attempted abduction at Ketner Lake, and urge the public to specifically look for someone with a cross like this that matches the suspect’s description from Ketner Lake.

The attacker in that case was described as a:

Light skinned male
18-35 (or someone who’s appearance with a ball cap may look that age)
Brown hair
Medium build
5’06” to 5’08” (Height can vary above or below these approximations)


Does this mean that the suspect from ketner lake was wearing a cross necklace?

 

[katydid23]

I think Jessica probably found the cross and it was in her backpack and her mother didn't know about it. It appears to me from a necklace. jmo

I have wondered the same thing. When my DD was that age she often had pieces of jewelry or knick knacks she found or was given by friends, in her backpack or pockets. I hope LE asked her friends about the cross first because she may have found it at the park or somewhere...

 

[MLE]

It looks like the perp had marked the cross with the letter S to identify the item was his. But why did he not put his first and last initials, or first/middle/last? I tend to think it's likely the perp is young and has a brother of similar age who also has or had one of these crosses. I think it's likely a second initial was left off since his sibling would have the same last name, making it pointless.

I don't think the perp is very old. He's probably at least 16 since he's driving, but I doubt he's older than say, 23.

As a male growing up with a twin brother, I often had to mark my items since people often gave my brother and I identical gifts. But I don't think I marked anything after high school, and certainly not after college.

I think the killer no longer goes to high school, but is still in his late teens.

 

[Reannan]

The tiny "dots" in the cross are probably from the natural type of wood that is used. The three slash lines and the zig zag appear intentional. Here is a cross that looks similar. It is from a guy who custom designs crosses: Crosses by Barritt. He has a contact phone number with a 602 area code, which is in the Phoenix, AZ area. It would be worthwhile for LE to ask him if he recognizes the cross. Here is the website, and here is a picture of one of his crosses that has the same 'pitted' look to the wood.

http://www.crossesbybarritt.com/?page_id=25

 

[Reannan]

This is from the same website, and is probably just a coincidence, by it sort of creeped me out when I first saw it. I wonder if the cross was found in the tree? Maybe that is why there was a red evidence flag on it?

 

[Sigh Sister]

It looks like the perp had marked the cross with the letter S to identify the item was his. But why did he not put his first and last initials, or first/middle/last? I tend to think it's likely the perp is young and has a brother of similar age who also has or had one of these crosses. I think it's likely a second initial was left off since his sibling would have the same last name, making it pointless.

I don't think the perp is very old. He's probably at least 16 since he's driving, but I doubt he's older than say, 23.

As a male growing up with a twin brother, I often had to mark my items since people often gave my brother and I identical gifts. But I don't think I marked anything after high school, and certainly not after college.

I think the killer no longer goes to high school, but is still in his late teens.

What are your thoughts on how a teen could have done this? I have a hard time believing a teen would be an organized killer as some experts have suggested. I think a teen would be very sloppy, leaving clues all over the place.

 

[Foxfire]

http://abcnews.go.com/US/jessica-ri...tempted-jogger/story?id=17516930#.UIKSeMXAe8B

Cops Hunting for Jessica Ridgeway's Killer Turn to Attempted Abductions

'in this news clip the suspect is described as light skinned. Many Hispanic construction workers wear the wooden crosses to work'.

In the Mickey Shunick abduction/murder, the person convicted for her murder Brandon Lavergne, had previously been convicted for aggravated rape and served 8 years in prison. After his released he entered an inmate program provided by his Church.

Brandon Lavergne’s Pastor: ‘Our Hearts Go Out To The Shunick Family’
http://kpel965.com/brandon-lavergnes-pastor-our-hearts-go-out-to-the-shunick-family/

 

[Trino]

The tiny "dots" in the cross are probably from the natural type of wood that is used. The three slash lines and the zig zag appear intentional. Here is a cross that looks similar. It is from a guy who custom designs crosses: Crosses by Barritt. He has a contact phone number with a 602 area code, which is in the Phoenix, AZ area. It would be worthwhile for LE to ask him if he recognizes the cross. Here is the website, and here is a picture of one of his crosses that has the same 'pitted' look to the wood.

http://www.crossesbybarritt.com/?page_id=25

I don't think this guy sells small crosses. Check out his sizes. LE is looking for one that is about 1.5 inches. Also, the cross they are looking for probably was part of a necklace or a key chain (hole in top).

 

[insatiable]

If it is a comfort cross and it's child size...possibly even baby sized ...it makes me wonder if there was significance of the spot where the backpack was left. Didn't someone kill their baby or something where the backpack was left?

Yes the comfort crosses do come in widely varing sizes with many of them having the holes at the top so that they can be worn as ncklace or bracelet or they can also be attached to a key ring.

To be honest the actual smaller sized comfort crosses such as the size of the one in this case, these small or mini comfort crosses are often times given to children..

Some of the crosses are actually anywhere from mildly offset to actually distortedly offset.. The small one pictured in this case has a slight offset appearance..

The pocket cross is very much the same as the comfort cross and actually either one of the crosses are oftens times interchangably called both pocket and comfort crosses..

Imo one extremely slight difference is that the pocket cross are not found to have holes in the top of them, but rather are just held onto or kept in "pocket"..wheras the comfort crosses are often times found to have the hole at the top(just as this one in this case does) for the option of the cross being attached to a necklace, bracelet, or keyring...

But again the "pocket cross" and the "comfort cross" are many times interchangable as far as the terminology used for each cross that serves basically the same in having a small cross one is able to carry and have with them at all times even if they should choose not to actually wear it on a necklace, bracelt or keyring..its small and compqct appearance allows one to even keep it in their "pocket"

 

[Reannan]

I don't think this guy sells small crosses. Check out his sizes. LE is looking for one that is about 1.5 inches.

Thanks Trino - I didn't mean that he might have sold it, just that he might have some insight into the wood, etc. I guess from watching Pawn Stars, I think that every unique item has to be shown to an expert that works with that same type of item. :crazy:

 

[Pias]

SS, but I can't keep up with you guys. This may have already been posted, but it is about the symbol 3 vertical lines. It says this of 3 vertical lines: In a special psychological sign system of unknown origin this sign means the active intellect.

http://www.symbols.com/encyclopedia/10/1013.html

 

[Foxfire]

http://www.boulderweekly.com/articl...y-local-law-enforcement-reacts-to-murder.html

Jessica Ridgeway: Local law enforcement reacts to murder

Boulder County authorities have responded to the abduction and murder of 10-year-old Jessica Ridgeway on a variety of fronts, from organizing search parties to issuing advisories to parents with children in local school districts.

After all, while some local residents may view the tragedy as removed from Boulder County, or as a Denver suburb story, it is actually closer to home than many realize, and not just because Jessica’s backpack was found in our county.

“Broomfield, Westminster and Arvada are our neighbors, it’s our backyard,” says Chief Deputy District Attorney Katharina Booth. “I do think you have to have that heightened awareness and alert, even within our community in Boulder County.”

read more-