NAMES IN THE NEWS : ‘Friday the 13th’ Mask Returned

The hockey mask worn by movie murderer Jason in the horror film “Friday the 13th” and stolen from director John Waters’ porch was found in a mailbox after police received a tip over the weekend.

Waters didn’t direct “Friday the 13th,” but was given the mask by Nick Mancuso, the executive producer of the horror film. The mask was taken last week from the front porch of Waters’ home, where a deliveryman had left it.

Waters, who directed cult movie hits such as “Hairspray” that featured the late female impersonator Divine, had planned to give the hockey mask to an old friend for Christmas.

An anonymous caller phoned police Saturday and said a “precious item” was in a mailbox in north Baltimore. The mailbox was opened and the missing mask was found in a brown paper bag addressed to Waters, police said.

“I asked him what kind of ‘precious item’ and he said it was the John Waters mask,” Police Officer Julie Morgan said.