A man suspected of vandalizing A Black Lives Matter mural in Vermont died in a car accident, according to authorities.
The suspect was identified on Thursday as Fred Seavy by the Montpelier Police Department. The transient man, with no known address, died in a car accident on July 1 when he crashed into ledges and the median, according to WCAX. He was not wearing a seatbelt.
Seavy was linked to the vandalism through DNA collected from the crash site that matched samples collected from spray paint cans found near the mural.
The mural was painted in front of the statehouse in Montpelier on June 13 and within 24 hours had been defaced with mud, oil, and graffiti. Police were able to use the DNA evidence along with witness statements and video surveillance to posthumously link Seavy to the vandalism, according to a statement posted on the Montpelier Police Department’s Facebook.
Due to Seavy’s untimely death, the Washington County State’s Attorney declined to prosecute. Additionally, a hate crime enhancement would not have been added to the charges because the victims are government entities, the City of Montpelier and the State of Vermont, and not specific individuals, according to a statement provided by State’s Attorney Rory T. Thibault.
