'LAST RESORT' TO EXHUME BARRIE IN L.A. DEAD BABY MYSTERY
LOS Angeles Police officers investigating the mystery of two mummified babies found in California have warned the body of Sir J.M. Barrie may have to be exhumed from his Kirriemuir resting place.
Following our report last week in which Sunday newspapers were claiming a link between the Peter Pan author and the discovery of two dead babies, fresh reports have claimed the famous author's body may have to be exhumed from his grave in Kirriemuir cemetery to solve the mystery of the two babies found more than 5,000 miles away.
Reports claim detectives probing the deaths say it would be their "last resort" in an effort to establish a DNA link between the author and the infants, whose remains were found inside a trunk two weeks ago.
The bodies were wrapped in newspapers from the Thirties while Barrie died aged 77 in 1937.
Los Angeles Police have little information about the babies, except that they were inside two doctors' bags bearing the initials JMB, while letters and cards addressed to a Miss Jean M Barrie were discovered as well as Peter Pan paraphernalia and a copy of the book itself.
A senior officer admitted they are "not going there yet" regarding JM Barrie's body but added: "If we cannot establish by other methods how or by whose hand these babies died, we may have no alternative but to apply for an exhumation order.
"Before that happens we are hoping that descendants of Mr Barrie will voluntarily come forward to help us, if they can, shed light on this incredibly sad case."
LA Police Chief Charlie Beck also said he has put detectives on the case "for the long term".
Barrie is buried next to his parents and two of his siblings close to Kirrie Hill.
The babies were found stuffed inside bags and stored in a large trunk. Detectives also unearthed black and white photos, including a wedding photo, pearl necklace, a Twenties dress and the Peter Pan items, sparking rumours the remains could be connected to the Scottish author, who was knighted in 1913.
However, commenting on the press speculation last week, local historian Sandra Affleck warned: "speculation does not make fact."
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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