News Release

Orville Wright bust found on Kill Devil Hills beach; investigation continues

Photo of the reproduction Orville Wright bust found on the beach in Kill Devil Hills, NC.

NPS Photo

News Release Date: October 15, 2019

The reproduction bust of Orville Wright, which was recently stolen from Wright Brothers National Memorial, was found this afternoon on the beach in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina. 

Additional details:

• At 3:25 p.m. today, a Kill Devil Hills beach visitor called the Dare County non-emergency line to report that the reproduction Orville Wright bust was “tucked” into the dunes.

• A Kill Devil Hills Officer was dispatched and arrived on the scene at 3:36 p.m. The National Park Service arrived on the scene shortly after the Kill Devil Hills Officer confirmed that it was the stolen bust of Orville Wright.

• The Orville Wright bust was found near 909 S. Virginia Dare Trail in Kill Devil Hills.

National Park Service Rangers will continue investigating the theft of the bust and the damage to its granite mounting base. Homeowners and business owners in the area of Wright Brothers National Memorial and 909 S. Virginia Dare Trail are encouraged to review security camera footage and report any suspicious activity from the night of October 12th through the afternoon of October 15th. To report tips, contact the Dare County Community CrimeLine or the National Park Service’s Investigative Services Branch (ISB).

National Park Service ISB Tip Line

• Call or text the ISB Tip Line at 888-653-0009

• Online at http://www.nps.gov/isb and click “Submit a Tip”

“While we are pleased that the bust of Orville Wright has been found, we are fully investigating this incident in order to determine who stole the bust and caused damage to its granite mounting base,” stated National Parks of Eastern North Carolina Superintendent David Hallac.