Note Left at Mystery Headstone Creates Another Mystery

Someone has written a note and left it at the mystery gravestone in front of the condominium complex at 13331 Moorpark St. in Sherman Oaks.

Say what?

OK, let's go back to the beginning.

Two months ago, a gravestone suddenly appeared on a grassy, open area in front of the large condo complex on Moorpark.

"It was a little spooky," said Karen Mangini, a resident of the complex as she looked at the heavy, regular-size headstone.

The headstone appeared to be made of gray marble. It seemed to be professionally engraved and, although heavy, was movable. Still, nobody has moved it since it was first seen on about July 18.

The engraving on the headstone, which includes a puzzling death date of "2012," says:

"Loving Husband Father and Physician

Jeffrey Lang

1976-2012."

"I went on the Internet to see where that would lead, but Lang is a common name, so I wasn't sure whether anyone listed would know about this," said Mangini, who notified the condo complex board that a headstone was now sitting among the plants in front of the building.

"There's nobody with that name, Jeffrey Lang, who lives at the complex," said Melissa Algaze, a member of the board, who said she was surprised to see a tombstone out in front.

A note scrawled on canvas, left at the foot of the gravestone has not shed any light on the situation. In fact, it has added to the  mystery.

The note says:

"Dear Jeff, I was so sorry to hear of your passing next year. I am inspired by your devotion to your wife and kids and to helping your fellow man. I hope you rest in peace at some point."

The note is signed, "Love Nico."

"I think it's kind of neat, a mystery right here in front of our house," said Kathy Hughes, a resident who was riding her bike past the gravestone.

"I have no idea who would have left that here, or why," Hughes added.

"I think it's kind of cool," said a man who said he was Hughes' husband, but declined to give his name.

"I think it's a movie prop," Mangini said.

However, movie props are generally not as heavy as this headstone, which appears to be authentic.

A continued search of the Internet failed to help identify a doctor in California by the name of Jeffery Lang.

So now there appears to be a double mystery in front of the building: the gravestone, and the note on canvas.

"I can't remember this happening anywhere," said Hughes, smiling and riding off on her bike.