ASHEVILLE- The Asheville Police Department still has had no luck capturing the High Winds that is suspected of murdering an iconic crab tree on the UNC Asheville quad on December 21.
Asheville Police Chief William Anderson says authorities have been working diligently to track down leads, but has yet to capture the High Winds.
“The suspect was last seen on the campus exiting north at 47 mph on the evening of December 21,” said Anderson.
“The suspect is described as colorless, slightly frigid, and was armed heavily with random leaves and other debris. If anybody has any leads on the whereabouts of High Winds please contact the Asheville Police Department immediately.”
The iconic Crab Apple Tree before it was brutally murdered by high winds
High Winds is suspected of murdering a 49-year-old crab tree that was found dead on the UNC Asheville quad the morning of December 22. The Arbor Day foundation is offering a $1,000 reward for any leads in the case.
After discovering the 49-year-old crab tree unconscious on December 22, UNC Asheville grounds crew tried to resuscitate the crab tree with water, until UNC Asheville grounds superintendent and landscape director Melissa Acker stepped in.
“Unfortunately the crab tree had signed a Do Not Resuscitate order,” said Acker.
“It was tough to let the tree die, but we had to respect the patient’s wish. The crab tree is in a better place now.”
The UNC Asheville grounds crew removed the crab tree’s remains from the quad Friday and hope to use the crab tree’s body parts to build some type of memorial. This has stirred a bit of controversy as some suspect the crab tree wished to be cremated instead.
The crab tree was survived by its companion, the other crab tree, and a squirrel that always use to tickle the crab tree underneath its right branch.
