By Laura Frykberg
The mystery of who owns a gold locket full of photos from the 1940s has been solved.
Earlier this evening 3 News reported the discovery of the locket by a Wellington woman who was eager to meet its owner.
Within a matter of hours her wish was granted thanks to the attentive 3 News audience.
It has been four years since 83-year-old Effie Rankin visited the house she had lived in for 24 years. Until today she was not aware of the precious item she had left behind.
As well as the small, gold ornamental box, it is also what is in the locket which is precious to Ms Rankin – 20 photos from her 21st birthday party in 1949.
Natasha Smith now lives in Ms Rankin’s old house.
After her flatmate made the discovery she studied the photos in detail to try and figure out who the birthday girl was.
Ms Smith never dreamed the answer would come so soon, after a viewer recognised Effie from tonight’s 6pm bulletin.
“Our house has become a bit attached to it,” says Ms Smith. “Because we've shown people who've come around and been like ‘look at this! I wonder whose it is?’ Now the mystery is solved.”
Ms Rankin, whose birthday is tomorrow, says she will be more careful with where she keeps the locket in the future.
“I’m going to put it in a real safe place with my other precious things and make sure it doesn't stray again.”
She says it is the best birthday gift she could have hoped for.
3 News