A Savannah woman is recovering after an unprovoked acid attack left her with severe burns covering more than half of her body. Officials say the assault occurred on the evening of Dec. 10 as the victim returned to her home near Forsyth Park.
According to the Savannah Police Department, Ashley Wasielewski was returning to her home near Forsyth Park when a man approached her and threw a corrosive liquid in her face around 8:15 p.m. Dec. 10, 2025.
Authorities identified the victim as 46-year-old Ashley Wasielewski. According to the FBI’s Atlanta Field Office and the Savannah Police Department (SPD), a man approached Wasielewski from behind at about 8:15 p.m. and poured a corrosive chemical on her.
In this photo provided by Connor Milam, Ashley Wasielewski sits with bandages in a hospital bed in Augusta, Ga., Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025, after witnesses said she suffered severe burns when an unknown attacker poured a corrosive chemical over her head at a public park in Savannah.
The SPD said responding officers found Wasielewski’s clothing melted and even her car keys damaged by the substance. Witnesses described hearing her screams. Her son, Westley Wasielewski, told The Associated Press:
"We don’t know who did it. She doesn’t have any enemies. She is a friend to everyone."
The FBI Atlanta is offering $5,000 for tips leading to information about the person who allegedly poured acid on a 46-year-old woman in Savannah, Ga.
A verified GoFundMe page set up for Wasielewski reports she suffered severe burns to more than 50% of her body and was transported to the Augusta Burn Center for specialized care. Fundraisers and organizers say she is currently stable but will require skin grafts, long-term burn therapy and ongoing medical follow-up.
Investigation Underway
The FBI’s Atlanta office has joined the Savannah Police Department in the investigation and announced a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction. Savannah Mayor Van Johnson said investigators have identified and voluntarily interviewed a person of interest who was seen in widely circulated images wearing a black hoodie with a Bugs Bunny graphic — a figure the public has dubbed the "Bugs Bunny guy." The mayor and police emphasized that the individual was not detained and has not been named a suspect.
Police Chief Lenny Gunther said detectives are working around the clock: reviewing video, following leads and interviewing witnesses. SPD is canvassing the neighborhood and collecting doorbell, security and surveillance footage from the area and time immediately after the attack.
Chief Gunther added, "We have no evidence that this is part of a larger pattern or that there is an ongoing threat to the public." Mayor Johnson said the incident has shaken the community and that patrols in city parks have been increased as a precaution. "Let me be clear: This kind of violence has no place in Savannah," he said.
The FBI and Savannah Police have set up a digital tip line for photos and videos that may assist the investigation. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Savannah Police Department at 912-234-2020 or the FBI's toll-free tip line at 1-800-225-5324.
