Frank Bender, who found fame as a forensic sculptor with his knack for identifying victims of violent crimes and help capture criminals, was the last famous American die of mesothelioma.
Bender, who lived and worked in Philadelphia, died earlier this month after a year-long battle with pleural mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos fibers. Its impact has been attributed to his stint in the NAVY for almost 50 years ago, when he often worked in the engine room of the ship.
Bender joined the growing group of reputable mesothelioma victims, who include actor Steve McQueen, musician Warren Zevon, Pro Football Hall of Famer Merlin Olsen and former head of the White House staff Hamilton Jordan.
The ability to recreate a person of unknown Bender, discarded the skull – providing closure for families – and sculpt new faces from long-ago photos to assist investigators in criminal cases, became legendary in the forensic business.
He often described themselves as "recomposer from decomposed, '' which is the title of the upcoming movie about his life. Already have a book, "the girl with the crooked nose, '' written about him and his work in Mexico, where he again faces eight women killed in a series of murders. Three of the eight were subsequently identified from his work.
His most famous work was his adjustment time sculpture of John list, a New Jersey man who killed his family, and then disappeared in the year 1971. In 1989, working with old photos, he's graceful hands bust, he thought a list would look something like 18 years later, and he was shown on "America's most wanted" television show. A woman looks at the Virginia recognized the man as a neighbor with a different name and called authorities. The list was arrested and convicted of murder.
Most of the 50 busts, which he sculpted for the police over the years came from the skulls, which had been sent to him in hopes of identifying victims of murders after dental records, DNA and fingerprints did not work.
Bender helped start famous Vidocq society in Philadelphia. This is an informal group of retirees and some retired investigators who meet regularly in the hope of resolving outstanding cold case murder.
Bender began his work with the Department of police of the city of Philadelphia, but his talent became popular internationally. He has also worked with the FBI, Scotland Yard and the Governments of Egypt and Mexico. He worked several times with America's most wanted.
This entry was posted on Wednesday, August 24, 2011, 10: 35 am and is filed under asbestos exposure, mesothelioma, veterans. Can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS feed.
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