Elaine Traverse, a Heart’s Delight-Islington, N.L. resident, stumbled upon the dismantled Amelia Earhart statue in a wooded area four months ago. Expecting a reward, she found herself and her son, who has a prior conviction for copper theft, under suspicion instead. Traverse is now speaking up to restore her and her son’s reputation.
Traverse’s encounter with the statue occurred while she stopped at a forest access road for her dog. The discovery, originating from a stolen statue in Harbour Grace, has upended her life. Despite her innocence, Traverse and her son have faced mounting pressure from authorities.
The stolen bronze statue was intended for sale as scrap metal, but the high-profile theft likely thwarted this plan. A reward of $25,000 was offered by the town and partners, including a $10,000 contribution from Newco Metal, contingent upon an arrest and conviction.
The statue, a tribute to aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart, vanished from Harbour Grace, where she embarked on her historic solo transatlantic flight. Traverse, currently facing eviction, had hoped the reward would provide stability.
Feeling unfairly treated by the RCMP and her community, Traverse is anguished. Despite her son’s prison confinement during the theft, suspicion persists. To clear their names, both have agreed to a polygraph test.
The ongoing RCMP investigation has not led to any arrests. The restored statue, now reinforced with a stainless steel skeleton, will be rededicated in the spring. While the town’s insurer covers the restoration, Traverse awaits clarity on the reward.
In her quest for justice, Traverse remains resilient, much like the pioneering spirit of Amelia Earhart.