Volunteer Finds 4-Carat Diamond Ring in Ashes of LA Wildfire Home

Yoonjae Jung
By Yoonjae Jung

A volunteer searching through the remains of homes destroyed by LA wildfires has drawn attention after recovering a 4-carat diamond ring from the ashes.

LA wildfire volunteer search showing a 4-carat diamond ring recovered from burned home debris and Jasper Randall searching with a metal detector
A 4-carat diamond ring recovered from the ashes of a home destroyed by LA wildfires, left, and volunteer Jasper Randall searching for lost belongings in a burn area using a metal detector. Screenshot from NBC Los Angeles broadcast

According to NBC4, on January 6, the outlet profiled Jasper Randall, who has been conducting volunteer search efforts in wildfire-affected areas of Pacific Palisades and Altadena. Jasper Randall responds to requests from residents who lost their homes, carefully searching collapsed house sites for personal belongings.

The report said Jasper Randall discovered not only the 4-carat diamond ring but also a 3-carat diamond ring, gold necklaces, a People’s Choice Award, and a Writers Guild Award while examining fire debris. One resident had forgotten that a diamond ring inherited from her grandmother was still on the property until Jasper Randall recovered it.

Describing the work, Jasper Randall said, “Searching through ashes is closer to an archaeological dig,” adding, “Carefully examining a space that holds someone’s life makes you very humble.” He also said, “I wanted to bring even a little bit of light back into the lives of people who lost their homes to fire.”

Jasper Randall works as a composer and vocal contractor in the film and television industry. He explained that a slowdown in industry work gave him time to begin volunteer search activities in wildfire-affected neighborhoods.

Not every search leads to a recovery. Jasper Randall said some homes yield no items at all. “We do our best, but sometimes we can’t find anything,” he said. He added that some wildfire victims were afraid to return to their properties months after the fires, noting, “This work is not just about finding objects, but about helping people heal and find closure.”

BY YOONJAE JUNG [jung.yoonjae@koreadaily.com]

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