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
🎯
suspect
Lead #1A lone male suspect was seen fleeing the scene—who was this individual and what vehicle did they use?
🔍
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—how many such barrels were sold in the United States and to whom?
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vehicle
Lead #3What vehicle was observed leaving the Wales residence on the night of October 11, 2001?
On October 11, 2001, Assistant United States Attorney Thomas Crane Wales was shot multiple times through a basement window of his Seattle home by an unknown gunman standing in the backyard, dying the next day from his injuries. Wales had spent 18 years prosecuting white-collar crime cases for the Western District of Washington, making him a potential target for retaliation. Despite a substantial $2 million reward and forensic evidence identifying the weapon as a Makarov semi-automatic handgun with a distinctive aftermarket barrel, the case remains unsolved and investigators continue seeking information about the suspect or motive.
Case
#477
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) / Western District of Washington
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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.
👤
person
Lead #4Did any of Wales' white-collar crime prosecutions involve defendants with connections to Soviet Bloc countries or access to Makarov pistols?
👁️
witness
Lead #5Were there any neighbors or passersby in the Queen Anne area who witnessed suspicious activity or an unfamiliar person in the backyard that evening?
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
👤
2001-10-11
22:40Murder of Thomas Crane Wales
Thomas Crane Wales was shot multiple times through a basement window of his Queen Anne home by a gunman standing in the backyard while Wales sat at his desk typing on his computer.
🔍
2001-10-12
Death at hospital
Thomas Crane Wales died at the hospital from gunshot wounds sustained the previous night.
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:October 11, 2001 at 10:40 PM
Last Updated:July 23, 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:July 23, 2026
Up to $2,000,000 Reward
For information leading to the resolution of this case