photo comparison

[Andrew Tarr]

This is a sad story to join R-C about.  In a way you are in a similar position to the rest of us - you are asking a question which no-one can answer with certainty.  No doubt we can each offer a percentage probability, but I for one would never say Yes, definitely.  In the end we collect historical evidence and reach our own conclusion.  I hope you get some form of closure.

[Ruskie]

Surely the ring clinches it verycurious?

I think that Matthew was not suggesting that the photographer knew this woman's name, but rather he may have taken other photos of her which may help you recognise her.

Wouldn't someone have identified her body? Wouldn't any valuables such as the ring be returned to family?

[verycurious16]

I have searched for other photos and have not been able to find any.
I am not sure if anybody did ID a body or not. It took 16 days to find her.
I do have a ring that does resemble the shape of that one..

[Josephine]

I'm very sorry for your loss.

I don't mean to be indelicate. None of my questions require public answers. I'm mentioning them in case they might lead to other, better questions or answers.

Do you have a photo of your mother taken closer to the time of the bombing that would show her haircut and hair colour?

Was there a cause of death on your mother's death certificate that might rule out the woman in the photo?

You say it took 16 days to find your mother. Was she found deceased in hospital or at the location of the bombing?

I'm only asking because the woman in the photo looks like she was in a condition to either be triaged and/or taken to hospital. If she passed away after the photo was taken, there should have been some record of her having been hospitalized or attended to by first responders. (Although I understand that paperwork is not the priority after such an event.)

There might be some type of victim or survivor group that could help, or perhaps a historian, or even newspaper/magazine reports from the time.

Regards,
Josephine

[Josephine]

Another thought: you could reach out to local newspapers or reporters and tell them you're trying to reach the women seen on either side of the injured woman in the photo. Maybe those women knew her and can identify her.

Regards,
Josephine

[verycurious16]

I have tried reaching out to the photographer and the officer. I have also tried the Oklahoma National Memorial and havery had no luck.
I just remembered yes I do have an older picture of her.
I will go see if I can find it and post it.

[Ruskie]

If your mother was tragically killed in this bombing, and the woman in the photo appears to be her, and in the photo she is wearing a distinctive ring which you recognise as belonging to your mother, may I ask why you are still questioning if the woman in the photo IS your mother?

I'm sure you must have your reasons, but to a stranger, with only the information you have given, this seems like a slightly odd request. What further proof are you looking for?

Apologies if this may come across as insensitive - that is not my intention.

[verycurious16]

Just looking for closure. I'm sure if you were in the same situation you would like to have answers too.
I'm sorry if I have stirred up any trouble. I was just trying to figure out if there is a program somewhere that I could maybe over lay the pictures and see if they are the same person. If the program says no there is no match at all. Then I could start the actual process of closure and grief.
I hope everyone can understand that.

[phenolphthalein]

I think it is your mum. The ring and her cheeks.
The comfort for you is that she was helped --
you were not there but others were and took care of her --
physically supported her.
You have proof of that. Someone cared for her. The photo shows it.