Key Takeaways
- Elaine Traverse found the stolen Amelia Earhart statue in a wooded area, but instead of receiving the reward, she and her son are now suspects in the theft.
- Traverse claims she had nothing to do with the theft and is speaking out to clear her reputation and her son’s.
- The statue was stolen in late April and found in August, with the thieves believed to have intended to sell the bronze to a scrap metal dealer.
- The RCMP investigation is ongoing, and no arrests have been made.
- The statue has been fully restored and will be rededicated next spring.
Introduction to the Story
The story of Elaine Traverse and the stolen Amelia Earhart statue is a complex one, filled with twists and turns. Traverse, a resident of Heart’s Delight-Islington, Newfoundland, thought she had stumbled upon a windfall when she discovered the statue in a wooded area. However, instead of receiving the $25,000 reward, she and her son have become suspects in the theft. Traverse is speaking out to clear her reputation and her son’s, and to claim the reward that she believes is rightfully hers.
The Discovery of the Statue
On August 1, Traverse pulled into a forest access road off Route 74, allowing her dog to relieve itself. As her dog became agitated and started barking, Traverse investigated and found the cut-up pieces of the Amelia Earhart statue. The statue had been stolen from a municipal park in Harbour Grace in late April, and its discovery was a significant breakthrough in the case. However, for Traverse, the discovery has turned her quiet life into a nightmare. The police became involved, and pressure began to mount on her and her adult son, who has a criminal conviction for stealing copper.
The Investigation and Suspicion
Traverse claims that she and her son had nothing to do with the theft and damage to the statue. However, the RCMP investigation is ongoing, and no arrests have been made. The police are likely suspicious of Traverse and her son due to his past conviction, and the fact that the statue was found in a wooded area near their home. Traverse understands why the police would be suspicious, but she is deeply hurt by the way she has been treated. She feels like she is being treated like a criminal, and that the people in her community have changed towards her.
The Reward and the Restoration of the Statue
The town of Harbour Grace and its partners offered a $25,000 reward for information that would help find those responsible for the theft and lead to the return of the statue. Newco Metal contributed $10,000 to the reward, contingent on an arrest and conviction for the theft. The statue has been fully restored by sculptor Morgan MacDonald, and a new stainless steel skeleton has been installed to prevent future thefts. The statue will be secured to a new platform and rededicated during a ceremony next spring. However, it is unclear whether Traverse will receive the reward money, as the RCMP investigation is ongoing.
Clearing Their Names
Traverse and her son have agreed to take an RCMP-administered polygraph test to clear their names. Traverse is upset that she has not received the reward money yet, and feels that if it were anyone else, they would have received the money immediately. She is hoping that the polygraph test will help to prove their innocence and allow her to claim the reward. Traverse is also speaking out to clear her reputation and her son’s, and to show that they are not involved in the theft.
Conclusion
The story of Elaine Traverse and the stolen Amelia Earhart statue is a complex and intriguing one. Traverse’s discovery of the statue was meant to be a windfall, but instead, it has turned her life into a nightmare. As the investigation continues, Traverse is speaking out to clear her reputation and her son’s, and to claim the reward that she believes is rightfully hers. The restoration of the statue is a positive outcome, but the question of who stole the statue and who will receive the reward remains unanswered.