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

[Foxfire]

FYI- off topic

Bell Tower(Bell ringing during Jessica Ridgeway press Briefing by WPD PIO)

Bell Tower Synonymous with Westminster
In 1988, Westminster topped off its 14-story bell tower at City Hall with a pyramid shaped steel mesh structure.

A bell tower was suggested because of its symbolic tie to Big Ben in Westminster, England.

http://www.ci.westminster.co.us/ExploreWestminster/AbouttheCity/WestminsterHistory/BellTower.aspx

 

[pearl]

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

From looking at this picture, I don't think the cross was at one time part of a keychain. I think if it had been part of a key chain, there would be marks all over it from coming into contact with the keys.

 

[TxLady2]

Wonderful to read something new about this case. A description of a possible perp can help imensly and my fingers are crossed.
About the cross, the wooden crosses were popular in the 70s. The etched markings were part of the design.

My husband made me a wooden cross that can be put on a chain and worn as a necklace. I don't remember what kind of wood he made it out of, but it's very light, maybe 1-1/2 inches long and 1 inch wide. There are no markings on them. I didn't even know him in the 70's, so I don't think these crosses are out of style.
We found a guy about 20 years ago that made crosses out of old nails used to build railroads, and I bought one but don't know whatever happened to it.

 

[TxLady2]

You're not thinking of the "Alex Cross" series of books are you? He wrote The Bone Collector...? But I think it was just his name, I don't recall a cross being featured prominently in his series beyond the fact that the lead investigator's ficticious name was Alex Cross....

The author of the Alex Cross books is James Patterson.

 

[TxLady2]

The cross was found at "one of the crimes scenes in the JR case". They won't elaborate on where/when.

My guess is that it was found at the scene of where her body was found. The only other crime scene we know of is where the backpack was found, and possibly the general area of where she was taken. If it was found IN her backpack then I doubt that they would put much focus on it, as it would probably belong to her. Likewise if it was found near where she was thought to be abducted. However, finding it with her remains, or close by would be fairly significant. And it may not have belonged to the perp, we don't know.

 

[mck16]

The cross was found at "one of the crimes scenes in the JR case". They won't elaborate on where/when.

This statement confused me e.g. 'one of the crime scenes' as if there are multiple crime scenes. But, the article just says 'crime scene' so I am thinking where the body was located. And does anyone think that term 'crime scene' indicates this is the spot of the actual murder? tia

 

[Elley Mae]

The cross looks to be mahogany.jmo

 

[Considering]

I thought I might as well throw out my :twocents: worth and it's JMO. I think the cross is from a ring rosary. Maybe it was an inexpensive trinket bought during a trip sometime to Europe by the perp or by a friend or family member. I don't think it was left by accident. I think it was intentionally left by the perp not because of any remorse but because it has some religious type meaning to him. I don't think this that guy is capable of feeling remorse.

 

[Elley Mae]

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

A small wooden cross recovered during the Jessica Ridgeway investigation could become a pivotal piece of evidence that helps authorities identify and locate her killer.

Police would not say where they found the cross, only that identifying who wore it or purchased it could lead authorities to identify the man who kidnapped and killed Jessica.

He said the cross was recovered at a crime scene, but he wouldn't say which one. Police want to see if there's a connection between the cross and an attempted abduction at Ketner Lake.

Police are also looking for a local business that may sell these specific crosses

bbm That to me is a very strong statement.

and it would seem that LE believes the cross is store bought and not homemade.

jmo

 

[waltzingmatilda]

This statement confused me e.g. 'one of the crime scenes' as if there are multiple crime scenes. But, the article just says 'crime scene' so I am thinking where the body was located. And does anyone think that term 'crime scene' indicates this is the spot of the actual murder? tia

I'm not LE but IMO there are 3 crime scenes. The 3 block walk from Jessica's home to the park, the location where the backpack and water bottle were found, and the location where Jessica's remains were found (which is the main one at this time). I will not be surprised if there isn't a 4th crime scene that we are not aware of at this time....where dismemberment took place.

moo

wm

 

[Indy Anna]

My guess is that it was found at the scene of where her body was found. The only other crime scene we know of is where the backpack was found, and possibly the general area of where she was taken. If it was found IN her backpack then I doubt that they would put much focus on it, as it would probably belong to her. Likewise if it was found near where she was thought to be abducted. However, finding it with her remains, or close by would be fairly significant. And it may not have belonged to the perp, we don't know.

Just an idea ... If the cross was found with Jessica or with her belongings but no one in her family recognized it, could it be what the killer used to lure Jessica to his car?

Maybe as she was walking to school, Jessica spotted the cross on the ground and picked it up, putting it in her backpack or in her coat pocket. The perp, then, may have watched her from afar and, after he saw Jessica pick it up, he drove up to her and asked if she had seen a little wooden cross. When Jessica went over to his car to remove the cross from her pocket/ backpack, it would have given the perp opportunity to grab her and pull her into the car.

Since the cross is so small, it would've had to be in plain view - like in the middle of the sidewalk. The perp may have not targeted Jessica specifically, but she happened to be the one who picked up the pendant and the situation seemed innocent enough to her that the ploy worked. Again, just a thought.

 

[Londonrraine]

I thought I might as well throw out my :twocents: worth and it's JMO. I think the cross is from a ring rosary. Maybe it was an inexpensive trinket bought during a trip sometime to Europe by the perp or by a friend or family member. I don't think it was left by accident. I think it was intentionally left by the perp not because of any remorse but because it has some religious type meaning to him. I don't think this that guy is capable of feeling remorse.

Speaking of this guys family/friends, I keep thinking that someone somewhere in that area feels they know something by now. And I wonder what kind of family/friends this guy might have? Would they come forward? Would they chose denial?

I personally would call LE, even if I suspected my own family member. That's got to suck, knowing your brother/friend/son is possibly this guy. But...someone somewhere knows something by now, i'm thinking. Now let's hope someone steps up, and soon before this perp strikes again.

 

[Pias]

This might be interesting in conjunction with the 3 vertical lines or active intellect: [ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Active_intellect"]Active intellect - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/ame]

 

[Lois Lane]

My first thought when seeing the cross this morning is that it looks like something I have seen in the gift shop next to the Santuario de Chimayo in the village of Chimayo, New Mexico.

[ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Santuario_de_Chimayo"]El Santuario de Chimayo - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/ame]

I also thought of Los Hermanos Penitentes.

http://www.rmpbs.org/byways/lca_penitentes.html

Penitentes in Colorado are thought to be centered around the San Luis Valley (around Alamosa) in southern Colorado.

The "slashes" on the back of the cross could represent the self-flagellation practiced by the Penitentes?

Possible that the perp is from southern Colorado but had to relocate to the more populated Denver/Boulder area in order to find employment?

Penitentes practice more openly in many towns and cities in Mexico. Their processions are subjects for many photographers.

Probably way off, but just tossing these thoughts out there.

 

[Pias]

It would appear that one side of the cross associates with God or good, or a facilitator of that which is godlike or good, and the other with a falling from heaven, or evil. JMO from what I have been reading about the symbolism.

 

[MLE]

Google "pachuco cross" and see if you think it could be relevant.

 

[Londonrraine]

My first thought when seeing the cross this morning is that it looks like something I have seen in the gift shop next to the Santuario de Chimayo in the village of Chimayo, New Mexico.

El Santuario de Chimayo - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I also thought of Los Hermanos Penitentes.

http://www.rmpbs.org/byways/lca_penitentes.html

Penitentes in Colorado are thought to be centered around the San Luis Valley (around Alamosa) in southern Colorado.

The "slashes" on the back of the cross could represent the self-flagellation practiced by the Penitentes?

Possible that the perp is from southern Colorado but had to relocate to the more populated Denver/Boulder area in order to find employment?

Penitentes practice more openly in many towns and cities in Mexico. Their processions are subjects for many photographers.

Probably way off, but just tossing these thoughts out there.

They're looking for someone "light-skinned", not white. Maybe you are onto something.

 

[kevmoley]

Just a thought regarding the cross. It appears the cross has a finish on it. It also appears that the stain was applied AFTER the markings were added to the cross because of the coloring. Therefore, I would tend to believe that this is homemade and not bought at some store or flea market.

 

[Rougelatete]

A few things of note:

1) LE clearly stated that the cross was "recovered during the Jessica Ridgeway investigation" -- this leads me to believe it was NOT recovered during the May abduction attempt, so we can probably rule that out.

2) I find it striking that LE asked, in specific, for information on a LOCAL business that may sell crosses like this one. Do they have information on the origin of the cross that the public does not? Maybe they already know where it is from and are hoping someone in the community knows a person who frequents that particular shop.

3) Somehow, the cross is directly related to the May abduction attempt as well (as evidenced by LE tying the description of the May abduction suspect to the October finding of the cross). I suspect the intended victim caught a glimpse of the cross on her potential abductor.

 

[PlainJaneDoe]

May today be the day LE gets the breakthrough they need!