In September of 2020, Seattle Police received a 911 call about a burglary where a bronze statue was stolen from a fraternity house while it was under construction near the University of Washington campus in the University District.
A sponsor of the fraternity house reported the burglary to police. It appeared the burglar broke through the front door of the house in the 2100 block of Northeast 47th Street and stole the solid bronze statue.
The statue was cast in 1920 to commemorate fraternity members who died while fighting in WWI and was valued at over $50,000. However, fraternity members said its greater value was sentimental.
Recently, an SPD Detective received a tip about the statue’s location and tracked it down to a residence in Auburn. The statue was returned and several current and past fraternity members were present to receive it.
Police have not located a suspect in this case, and fraternity members are not interested in pursuing a criminal investigation at this time.