Tacuma Jawara's lawyer told detectives where the rings had been pawned, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. The next morning, a detective went to the shop and got them.

Katherine Armstrong, 35, died April 30 at Grady Memorial Hospital after being in a car crash. Detective P.J. Roberson said Jawara's nephew pawned the rings, valued at $5,000, for $650 the next day.

Armstrong's husband, Alan, said he plans to keep the rings, at least for now, around his neck with his dog tags from his days as a Navy pilot.

"It's not the best place for long-term security," Armstrong said, "but I wanted to have them close."

Jawara's job at Grady was to log personal property and have it stored in a safe. Roberson said a security camera showed him carrying a plastic bag, which investigators believe held Armstrong's rings.