A Statement of Clarification

This post will be different.

I won’t speculate. I won’t accuse. I won’t dig into motives or histories that don’t belong to me.

Instead, I’m offering a clarification—and, where appropriate, a correction.

On the evening of May 20th, I was assaulted outside my apartment building in South Philadelphia. Two individuals approached me while I was unlocking my car. There were no words exchanged. I was hit from behind, then again when I turned to defend myself.

As of this writing, I have three cracked ribs, a fractured cheekbone, and a mild concussion. A police report was filed. For the record.

I’m writing this post from a hospital bed.

Over the past several weeks, I’ve published a series of reports regarding the theft of The Empress of Time and the murder of Adrienne Rousseau. In those posts, I mentioned the names of several individuals, including one Lily Harper, assistant curator at the Château Lumière.

In light of new information and a need for accuracy, I would like to clarify several points.

There is no confirmed evidence linking Ms. Harper to the disappearance of the painting or to the crime scene involving Mr. Rousseau. While it is true that she was contacted the night of the theft regarding an after-hours cleaning crew, it appears that her response was consistent with protocol and did not suggest any prior knowledge of malicious intent.

My earlier posts may have implied otherwise. That implication was not intentional and should not be taken as fact.

As always, I seek truth, not assumptions. I rely on sources, timelines, and human recollection—all of which are imperfect tools. In this case, my interpretation may have exceeded what the facts support.

Let me be clear:
Ms. Harper has not been named a suspect by law enforcement. She has not been charged with any crime. She has not made any public statement, nor should she be compelled to.

This is not an apology. It’s a recalibration.

Sometimes, the hardest thing for a journalist to do is pause. To question whether the trail they’re following is leading to justice—or being laid by someone else entirely.

This story is evolving. And for the time being, I will be stepping away from the subject of Ms. Harper and the Château Lumière incident. Not because I was told to. Not because I was hurt.

Because stories like this require precision. And right now, mine is blurred.

Thank you to those who have supported this investigation. Thank you to those who reached out in the past few days. And to those still watching—I see you, too.

Stay vigilant,
Will Ryland