(TOLEDO, Ohio) -- Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine and investigators from the Attorney General's Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) are seeking information regarding the whereabouts of a diamond ring stolen during a Cincinnati-area robbery/homicide in 2013.
The ring is believed to have been sold shortly thereafter in the Toledo area, possibly to a University of Toledo student during a college party.
The setting for the white gold, princess cut diamond engagement ring is pictured below.
Investigators believe that the person who purchased the ring was unaware that the ring was stolen.
"We have no reason to believe that the person who bought the ring has any idea that it is connected to a brutal crime that took the life of a man, injured his fiancée, and left his young daughter without a father," said Attorney General DeWine. "We are hoping to find this ring because not only is it critical to the ongoing murder investigation, but it also clearly has sentimental value to the family of Brandon Simms."
Simms, 33, was shot to death after he, his fiancée, and 2-year-old daughter returned to their Woodlawn, Ohio, home on July 19, 2013, and were confronted by two armed men.
Both Simms and his fiancée were shot during the armed robbery. Their child was uninjured, and Simms' fiancée survived the attack.
During the course of the robbery, the attackers stole multiple items of value, including the engagement ring.
Investigators with BCI and the Woodlawn Police Department later arrested Brandon Harris 24, of Cincinnati, in connection with the crime.
Harris is believed to possibly be the person who sold the stolen ring during the party sometime between July 20, 2013, and Oct. 31, 2013.
Harris was indicted in 2014 on charges of aggravated murder, murder, aggravated robbery, felonious assault, kidnapping, and aggravated burglary.
A reward is being offered for information leading to the recovery of the ring.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Bureau of Criminal Investigation at 855-BCI-OHIO (855-224-6446).
The setting for the white gold, princess cut diamond engagement ring is pictured here.
A photo of Brandon Simms is available here.
Brandon Harris' Hamilton County Jail booking photo is available here.
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Media Contacts:
Dan Tierney: 614-466-3840
Jill Del Greco: 614-466-3840