The person at the center of this case
Thomas Crane Wales
Cold Case · Open
24 years waiting · since 2001
THOMAS CRANE WALES
Justice for Thomas Crane Wales — the trail went cold in 2001, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
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suspect
Lead #1A lone male suspect was seen fleeing the scene—what identifying details were documented and why has this person not been identified after 25 years?
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evidence
Lead #2The murder weapon was a Makarov semi-automatic handgun with an aftermarket stainless steel barrel featuring six lands and grooves with left twist—only a limited number of these barrels were sold in the U.S., so tracing the barrel source could identify the shooter.
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person
Lead #3Wales prosecuted white-collar crime cases for 18+ years—did any of his cases create a motive for targeted retaliation?
On October 11, 2001, Thomas Crane Wales, an Assistant United States Attorney specializing in white-collar crime prosecution, was shot multiple times through a basement window of his Seattle home by an unknown assailant who fired from the backyard. Wales died at the hospital the next day, and a lone male suspect was reportedly seen fleeing the scene. Despite a $2 million reward and forensic evidence identifying a Makarov semi-automatic handgun with a distinctive aftermarket barrel, the case remains unsolved and investigators continue seeking information about the shooter's identity and motive.
Case
#477
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) / U.S. Department of Justice
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More leads to consider
Beyond the top three above — each detail below could be the thread that pulls this case open.
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location
Lead #4Why was the shooter able to access the backyard undetected, and what does the crime scene evidence reveal about planning or surveillance?
Have information about any of these leads?
Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.
Official wording
Source Narrative
Murder Victim Seattle, Washington October 11, 2001 On the night of October 11, 2001, at approximately 10:40 p.m., Thomas Crane Wales was killed in his home in Seattle, Washington. Wales worked for the Western District of Washington as an Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) for over 18 years, prosecuting white collar crime cases on behalf of the United States of America.
The shooter stood in the backyard of AUSA Wales' home and shot him several times through a basement window as he sat at his desk typing on his computer. It has been reported that a lone male suspect was seen fleeing the scene.
Wales died at a hospital the next day. Remarks: Born in 1952, Thomas Wales grew up in Southborough, Massachusetts.
Tom was a graduate of Harvard University ('74) and Hofstra Law School ('79), where he was the Editor-in-Chief of the law review. In 1983, Tom became an Assistant United States Attorney in Seattle, Washington, where he specialized in fraud prosecutions.
In addition to his work as a prosecutor, Tom was very active in civic organizations and public service. Tom served as a member of the Seattle Planning Commission, and was on the Mayor's Citizen Advisory Committee.
Thomas Wales is survived by two adult children.
Timeline of Events
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2001-10-11
22:40Murder of Thomas Crane Wales
AUSA Thomas Wales was shot multiple times through a basement window by a gunman standing in the backyard as he sat at his desk. He was working at his computer when attacked.
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2001-10-12
Death at Hospital
Thomas Wales died at the hospital from his injuries sustained in the shooting.
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:October 11, 2001 at 10:40 PM
Last Updated:May 10, 2026
Up to $2,000,000 Reward
For information leading to the resolution of this case
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Case Information
Incident:October 11, 2001 at 10:40 PM
Last Updated:May 10, 2026
Up to $2,000,000 Reward
For information leading to the resolution of this case