COBB COUNTY, Ga. — The best friend of a woman who survived an acid attack gave insight into her recovery and what’s next for the victim.
Police have not arrested the man who randomly attacked Ashley Wasielewski at Forsyth Park in Savannah.
She is originally from Cobb County. During visits in her hometown, she often came to The Battery with her best friend, Channel 2 Cobb County Bureau Chief Michele Newell learned.
She was released from the burn unit and is now recovering at a center in Augusta.
Her best friend, Connor Milam, said she was on the phone with her mom, when she was attacked.
“When you look at your best friend you’ve known for 25 years and that person’s not there right now - she’s so hurt and broken,” Milam said.
With third-degree burns over more than 50% of Wasielewski’s body, her friends still found a way to make her smile as she sat in a hospital bed.
“It’s just a flood of emotions constantly trying to keep her in the best spirits we can. She’s a strong person,” Milam said.
Wasielewski saw the shadow of someone following her at the park, her friend said.
“She turned around to think she was going to have to push them they poured water on her,” Milam said.
She quickly realized it wasn’t water, as her down jacket started to disintegrate and the feathers burned her. Milam said, her leggings completely burned off her skin.
Milam said medical bills could potentially reach into millions of dollars.
A GoFundMe was set up to help with medical and other long-term expenses for her recovery.
The FBI is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to an arrest and conviction. People can provide tips anonymously.
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