Investigators released images and are reviewing video after a Wednesday night attack near Forsyth Park.
SAVANNAH, Ga. — Police are investigating a chemical attack that left a 46-year-old woman with second- and third-degree burns after she was doused with a corrosive substance near Forsyth Park on Wed., Dec. 10, according to authorities. The assailant approached from behind, poured the chemical, and fled.
The case has gripped Savannah because the assault appears random and unusually violent. The victim, identified by family as Ashley Wasielewski, is being treated at a burn center in Augusta for injuries that friends say cover more than half her body. Investigators say early evidence suggests no robbery or dispute preceded the attack. They are analyzing surveillance images and asking anyone who was near Whitaker Street and West Waldburg Street around the time of the assault to come forward. City leaders have increased patrols, while detectives work with state and federal partners to identify the chemical and the person responsible.
Police say the attack happened shortly after 8 p.m. Wednesday following a Christmas program, when Wasielewski went for a walk near the north end of Forsyth Park. Investigators described the substance as highly corrosive; relatives said it burned through clothing and even damaged a key fob. “We do not have any indication the victim knew the attacker,” Police Chief Lenny Gunther said, noting there were no signs of a robbery. Detectives circulated images of a person of interest in a dark hoodie and jeans and asked potential witnesses to contact investigators. Officers canvassed adjacent blocks and nearby businesses for video, while evidence technicians collected clothing and other items to be tested.
Officials said the woman’s injuries include deep burns to her scalp, face, hands, and legs. She remains hospitalized in serious condition and is expected to undergo multiple procedures, including skin grafts. The chemical’s exact composition has not been publicly confirmed; samples were sent to a laboratory for analysis. Police have not announced any arrests. Investigators also noted they are reviewing footage of traffic along Whitaker Street around 8:15 p.m. and want to identify the driver of a white SUV seen in the area who may have witnessed the assault. The department said patrols in and around city parks have been increased while the search continues.
Forsyth Park is one of Savannah’s busiest public spaces, and the sudden nature of the assault has renewed attention on lighting, cameras, and monitoring in the surrounding Victorian District. City officials said added patrols began Thursday evening, with uniformed officers and specialized units circulating near the park’s main paths and bordering streets. In recent years, police have leaned on private and city-owned cameras to reconstruct movements in serious cases; detectives in this case are comparing footage from multiple angles around Whitaker, Drayton, and Park Avenue corridors to map the suspect’s route before and after the attack. Prior aggravated assaults near the park are relatively rare, police said, making this incident stand out.
Detectives outlined the procedural steps underway: evidence processing by the state crime lab, a review of 911 calls and license-plate recognition hits from Wednesday night, and interviews with people who were near the fountain and north fields. Investigators plan additional briefings as lab results arrive. Police urged tipsters who were in the Whitaker–West Waldburg area between 8 and 8:30 p.m. Wednesday to share any photos or dashcam footage with the Major Crimes Unit. City leaders said patrol adjustments will stay in place through the week. No public hearing has been scheduled, but officials expect to provide another update early this coming week as forensic testing progresses.
Neighbors described a rattled but resolute mood around the park as foot traffic returned over the weekend. “We’re shaken, but people are looking out for each other,” said longtime resident Denise Walker, who saw officers checking business door cameras Friday morning. A runner who passed through the area Thursday night said he noticed “marked cars on every block” and officers on bikes near the fountain. A friend of the victim said Wasielewski is “tough” and focused on healing. A family update said support has poured in from churches and local groups as the investigation moves forward.
As of Sunday night, police had not named a suspect or announced an arrest. The next expected update is after forensic test results return and additional video reviews are completed early this week.
Author note: Last updated December 14, 2025.