Print edition: 
Officials at Hadley Middle School say they would like to know who destroyed a student’s violin earlier this week but so far have no solid leads.
The vandalism case did have a happy ending: A good Samaritan who heard about Ashleigh Burrow’s plight donated a new violin that the eighth-grader played at an All-City Honors Orchestra concert Tuesday.
Since The Eagle reported the story, though, many have asked whether police or school officials are investigating the case and what would happen to the suspect, if caught.
“We don’t have the case solved yet,” said Hadley principal Charles Wakefield.
Wakefield said officials checked footage from the school’s security cameras. “Sadly, (the violin) was found in an area of the building that is not covered by cameras,” he said.
Now the school is relying on its Crime Stoppers program, which allows students, teachers and others to submit anonymous tips. In addition, Audrey Burrow, Ashleigh’s mother, reported the case to Wichita police.
The violin, a gift from Ashleigh’s grandfather, was worth about $250, Audrey Burrow said.
If a student is caught or admits to the crime, he or she likely would be suspended, said Wakefield, the principal.
“We’d look at the situation, if it was done intentionally. … Possibly something harsher, if it was found to be malicious,” he said.
Audrey Burrow said her daughter named the new violin Gentilesse, which is French for “kindness.” She played it at Tuesday’s All-City concert and will play it again during this weekend’s Solo and Ensemble Festival at West High.
“The violin has such a perfect tone,” she said. “It’s just beautiful.”
Audrey Burrow said Ashleigh “has forgiven whoever did it.”
“She said, ‘They have to live with that, and I get to live with a new violin.’ ”
