On Father’s Day, a Tukwila artist renewed a painful plea to the public after someone stole a small vial holding her father’s cremated remains, along with about $5,000 in prints and original paintings, from a truck in late May. The loss has hit twice over: the vial was a keepsake she brought to art shows, and the missing work represents income she relies on to keep painting. Now she is asking the community to help spot the stolen pieces and, with any luck, the person who took them.
A June 22 video from FOX 13 Seattle shows the artist laying out what happened, with the station reporting that the theft occurred near Southcenter Mall and that the stolen art is worth about $5,000. She pleaded on camera for whoever has the vial to return it, and urged anyone with information to contact authorities.
What’s Known And Who Is Investigating
Local reporting identifies the artist as Georgia Bean and says the friend’s truck was left briefly unattended after a weekend art show when several paintings, all of her prints and a box containing the small vial of her father’s ashes were taken. Tukwila police have opened an investigation, and Bean has launched an online fundraiser to help replace her inventory and cover immediate expenses, according to KIRO 7 News.
Her Plea And How She’s Coping
In on-camera interviews, Bean summed up her grief in a single line: “Please just give me back my dad.” She said she has been “painting her heart out” to recreate the missing work and try to recoup what was taken. A Father’s Day segment from FOX 13 Seattle captured a new, emotional piece she titled “treading water,” and reported that the late-May theft happened while the vehicle was parked near the mall.
Similar Incidents And Why Tips Matter
Thefts involving cremated remains are rare, but not unheard of. In Pennsylvania, an alleged ransom case involving a stolen urn was reported by NBC Philadelphia. In another case, an Ohio man was reunited with his father’s ashes weeks after his stolen truck was found, according to WHIO. Those outcomes underscore how crucial tips and police leads can be in getting irreplaceable items back to families.
How To Help
Tukwila police are asking anyone with information about the break-in or the missing art to contact their tip line. Supporters who want to help Bean rebuild can also donate to her fundraiser. Her campaign, titled “Help Geo Rebuild Her Art After Devastating Theft,” outlines what was stolen and is available on GoFundMe.
