Large diamond sought in Barbara Howe murder case

MONROE, Ohio - Monroe police acknowledged Thursday that the current location of a 3.31 carat diamond could provide clues into the murder of 87-year-old Barbara Howe.

"It is an oval cut diamond of very good quality," said Det. Gregg Myers of the Monroe Police Department.

While investigators wouldn't say whether they thought robbery was a motive in Howe's death, they believe discovering the whereabouts of the diamond could reveal solid clues in the case.

"I'm not willing to go so far and say that is a huge link to the situation. It can certainly shed light on the investigation," Myers said.

Howe's body was found in the trunk of her Cadillac parked next to a children's playground at the Woodridge Park East Apartments in Middletown.

Myers says it is possible that someone could have come into possession of the diamond innocently but information regarding how they acquired it could help investigators.

"Someone could have come into it innocently but that could lead us back to a direction that does provide some answers," Myers said.

News of the diamond emerged when Myers checked a local newspaper's classified section for someone trying to sell a diamond. The diamond in question wasn't the one but the paper was alerted to it.