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Authorities hope rings will help ID Blue Hills body

E-mail|Link|Comments () June 9, 2009 05:26 PM

(Norfolk DA's office)
The three rings found on the body.

By Jazmine Ulloa, Globe Correspondent

NORFOLK -- Law enforcement officials today asked the public's help in identifying the body of a middle-aged woman found doused in gasoline and badly burned Saturday afternoon in the Blue Hills Reservation.

The body, which appeared to be that of a 5-foot tall woman between age 45 and 55, was found at 3:45 p.m. on Saturday by a hiker in the Quincy section of the Blue Hills. Authorities did not publicize the discovery of the woman's body until today because they were checking hospital records and missing persons reports, according to Norfolk District Attorney William R. Keating.

"We are at a stage that we are clearly in need of the public to take the next step," Keating said today at a press conference at his office.

It has not yet been determined how the woman died, but gasoline had been used as an accelerant in the fire. The medical examiner has not yet completed an autopsy and the woman's death has not been ruled a homicide.

The woman was wearing three rings that authorities hope may help with her identification. A pear-shaped 14-karat diamond solitaire was found on the ring finger of the woman's left hand. A 10-karat gold band with several small stones, possibly a wedding ring, was found on the pinkie finger of the left hand. A third ring with heart-shaped settings, often called a "Mother's Ring," with a ruby, an emerald in the center, and a pink tourmaline, was found on the right ring finger.

Anyone with information is asked to call State Police at 508-820-2121.