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Jun 2025
45m 49s

94: MURDER: Thomas Wales

Derrick Levasseur
About this episode
On the night of October 11, 2001, federal prosecutor Thomas Wales was working in the basement of his Seattle home when someone walked up to his window and opened fire. Tom was struck multiple times, and later died at the hospital. 

At first, it wasn’t clear if the motive was personal or something connected to his work. While Tom was well-liked, he had prosecuted dozens of white-collar criminals, was active in gun control reform, and had potentially made enemies in both spaces.

Investigators eventually zeroed in on one man who seemed to have a grudge with Tom for multiple reasons. But despite one of the most extensive investigations in FBI history, no one has ever been charged with Tom’s murder.

Federal prosecutor Thomas Wales was shot through the window of his Seattle home, located in the 100 block of Hayes Street, while working in his basement at around 10:40 p.m. on October 11, 2001. 

If you have information about Tom’s murder, please call your local FBI office or email walestips@fbi.gov. There is a $2.5 million reward available.

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