Merchants help police analyze cross that may belong to Ridgeway’s killer
WESTMINSTER, Colo. — Religious stores across the north metro area are helping police search for Jessica Ridgeway’s killer by examining a small wooden cross found during the investigation.
“It was found at one of the crime scenes,” investigator Westminster police spokesman Trevor Materasso said. “We did confirm that it was not Jessica’s and believe it was left behind by the killer.”
The cross, described as around one inch wide and one and half inches tall, could be the breakthrough police need to find Jessica’s abductor.
“It does to me look very handmade because of the fact it’s not perpendicular,” said Chris Malley, a religious store operator in Wheat Ridge.
Police believe the cross could also be related to a previous case in which a woman reported an attempted abduction near Jessica’s home over the Memorial Day weekend. That suspect is 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)
Several religious store operators have reported speaking to investigators since Jessica’s body was found on Oct. 10. Westminster Police have not released if the cross was found near Jessica’s body, near her home, or close to her backpack in an Arvada neighborhood.
