Gallery: Photographer Stalks the Woman Who Stole Her Identity and Turns Her Into Art
Jessamyn Lovell01Lovell-001
*IDs, 2011*. All the various IDs Lovell dealt with throughout the case, including a copy of Hart’s California driver’s license. Lovell was first alerted to the identity theft when the San Francisco Police Department Financial Crimes Unit called one morning in 2011 and asked if she had given a woman named Erin Coleen Hart permission to use her New Mexico State driver’s license.
Jessamyn Lovell02Lovell-004
*Door code, 2011.* 2000 Post Street was the address listed on Hart’s driver’s license at the time of her arrest. Lovell found Hart's name in the directory outside one of the main doors, but no one answered when she buzzed.
Jessamyn Lovell03Lovell-005
*Mug shot, 2012.* Lovell decided to hire Pete Sirigusa, a private investigator and former San Francisco police officer, to help find Erin Hart. Within just a few days he was able to locate Hart in jail. This is Hart's booking photo for various crimes, including Lovell's case.
Jessamyn Lovell04Lovell-002
*Fingerprints, 2011*. In an effort to prove that she was not the same woman who was arrested, Lovell had to go to a local Albuquerque police station and have her fingerprints taken.
Jessamyn Lovell05Lovell-006
*Stake out, 2013.* Waiting for Hart’s release from county jail in March 2013.
Jessamyn Lovell06Lovell-007
*Surveillance (jail release), 2013.* When Hart was finally released from county jail, Lovell photographed her leaving the release point.
Jessamyn Lovell07Lovell-008
*Surveillance (Extra Mile), 2013.* The Extra Mile convenience store was Hart’s first stop after her release from jail. She bought Camel cigarettes and a lighter, and used the bathroom before hopping on the bus.
Jessamyn Lovell08Lovell-009
*Surveillance (Goodwill store), 2013.* Lovell snapped a photo with her iPhone of Hart shopping at a Goodwill second hand store.
Jessamyn Lovell09Lovell-010
*Surveillance (crosswalk), 2013.* Lovell followed Hart out of the store very closely and took this shot of her crossing the street to the bus.
Jessamyn Lovell10Lovell-011
*Surveillance (bus), 2013.* Lovell was able to get some shots of Hart inside the bus headed towards the Mission District.
Jessamyn Lovell11Lovell-015
*Surveillance (leaving prison), 2013.* As the day went on, Lovell began to develop sincere empathy for what this woman’s story might be.
Jessamyn Lovell12Lovell-013
*Police report request, 2014.* Lovell attempted to request a copy of Hart's most recent police report, but was told she had to send it up the chain of command because her name was not mentioned. Lovell is still waiting for them to send a copy of the report and hopes it provides information about Hart and her whereabouts.
Jessamyn Lovell13Lovell-003
*Jail Sucks, 2013.* A bail bond business across the street from the Hall of Justice in downtown San Francisco were Lovell inquired about Hart.
Jessamyn Lovell14Lovell-014
*Email confirmation from Hart's P.O., 2014.* A probation officer confirmed that Hart had received Lovell's letter (shortened in an email). Lovell asked Hart to call but she never did.
Jessamyn Lovell15Lovell-012
*Surveillance (smoking), 2013.* Months later, Lovell learned Hart is now homeless but in compliance with her probation. The two never met.
The Best Water Filter Pitchers for PFAS- and Lead-Free Living
Water filters promise the moon—but only some back up their claims. Here are the best filtered-water pitchers for those who prefer their water free of heavy metals and forever chemicals.
Matthew Korfhage
The Internet's Most Powerful Archiving Tool Is in Peril
As major news outlets cut off the Wayback Machine, journalists and advocacy groups are rallying to protect the Internet Archive’s vast collection of web pages.
Kate Knibbs
The Dumbest Hack of the Year Exposed a Very Real Problem
Last April, a hacker hijacked crosswalk announcements to mimic Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk. Records obtained by WIRED reveal how unprepared local authorities were.
Paresh Dave
AI Agents Are Coming for Your Dating Life
The developers of Pixel Societies are using AI agents to simulate social interactions. It's an attempt optimize the process of choosing new colleagues, friends, and even romantic partners.
Joel Khalili
The Audacity Is the Broligarchy Takedown You Were Waiting For
AMC’s new black comedy about a manchild tech titan spinning out of control is a skewering Silicon Valley’s billionaire class deserves.
Miles Klee
A Lot of Shops Won't Fix Electric Bikes. Here's Why
Bike shop mechanics have lost fingers and their shirts while repairing ebikes of dubious origins. Make sure yours is repairable and third-party certified.
Stephanie Pearson
It’s a Tablet! It’s a Laptop! After Testing the Best 2-in-1s, Here’s What I Recommend
Whether you want a detachable tablet or a laptop screen that spins, these 2-in-1 devices manage to balance being both a tablet and a laptop.
Luke Larsen
There’s a Secret Ingredient to Making Luxury Ice at Home
Nice ice is big business, but you can get perfectly clear cubes at home without freezing your assets.
Jeremy White
The Screenmaxxers Who Spend Every Waking Hour on Their Phones
As debates over social media addiction rage, people with extreme screen times tell WIRED they have no plans to cut back.
Miles Klee
Mammotion’s Spino E1 Pool Cleaner Isn’t Bad for the Price—It's Just Not That Good
This compact pool robot keeps its price down, but its performance doesn’t match that of more capable cleaners.
Christopher Null
The Best Coffee Mug Warmers Are Smart. But They Don’t Need an App
The first rule of coffee is that it must stay hot. After weeks or even years of testing, these are the three coffee warmers that will best keep it that way.
Matthew Korfhage
Crimson Desert Is a Cat Dad Simulator
Step into the shoes of the strongest, goodest boy in a game that is beautiful, baffling, and impossible to put down.