The property was acquired by the singer in 2013 for more than $17 million and was the inspiration for one of her most popular songs.
The South Kingstown Police Department announced the identification of human remains found on May 14 in the town of Westerly , Rhode Island , near the home of American singer Taylor Swift. The remains correspond to Eric Wein , a 31-year-old Massachusetts resident who was reported missing on April 18 of that year, according to an official statement and confirmation from the Rhode Island State Medical Examiner's Office . The discovery has increased attention to the coastal area, known for being a high-profile residential destination.
On May 14, 2025, Westerly police officers responded to a beach in the Watch Hill neighborhood after receiving a report of a discovery in the area. According to police, at 9:30 a.m. they located “what appeared to be a human leg bone ” on the neighborhood’s Everett Avenue , located a short distance from Swift ’s mansion , which serves as his weekend home. Authorities took the remains to the Rhode Island State Medical Examiner’s Office for testing, maintaining throughout the investigation that “no foul play is suspected” in the case, the South Kingstown Police Department stated in a press release.
Eric Wein 's family reported him missing on April 18, nine days after his vehicle was found parked on Ocean Avenue in South Kingstown on April 10, according to police records cited by both sources. The search for Wein was conducted jointly with the Mansfield, Massachusetts, Police Department , authorities said.
Taylor Swift's iconic property
The Watch Hill discovery was made near several landmarks in the area. According to local resident Taylor Day , speaking to NBC10 WJAR , the location was “a couple of football fields away” from Taylor Swift ’s mansion and the historic Ocean House Hotel . Day, who was near the scene, described the discovery to reporters as “very unusual ” for the area.
Authorities confirmed that the discovery took place on one of the beaches in the well-known neighborhood, an enclave characterized by Victorian-style homes and the presence of famous residents, such as the aforementioned singer, who acquired the property in 2013 for $17.75 million , according to The New York Times.
Taylor Swift ’s estate , known as High Watch , sits high above East Beach and the Atlantic Ocean. Formerly owned by Standard Oil heiress Rebekah West Harkness , the property inspired Swift’s song “The Last Great American Dynasty” on her 2020 album, Folklore . The mansion’s prominence has drawn attention during holiday events, with Swift hosting celebrities including Ed Sheeran , Gigi Hadid , Bradley Cooper , the Haim sisters , and Selena Gomez for her Fourth of July celebrations. The Watch Hill area is known for its “strong sense of privacy” and high-value homes.
Process of identifying the remains and closing the investigation
The South Kingstown Police Department formally concluded its investigation following the identification. According to its statement in the official bulletin, there are no indications of foul play or violent death, and no further investigation will be conducted. The police department also publicly extended its condolences to Wein's family and loved ones during this time, stating, "We offer our condolences to Mr. Wein 's family and loved ones during this difficult time." Neither the Westerly Police Department nor the Rhode Island Medical Examiner's Office issued any additional statements on the case following the conclusion of the investigation and confirmation of Eric Wein 's identity .