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2d ago

Jim Morrison’s Stolen Bust Recovered After 37 Years

French police uncovered the graffitied sculpture during a fraud investigation, but its return to Père Lachaise remains uncertain.

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The grave of Jim Morrison, lead singer of the rock group The Doors, at the Pere Lachaise cemetery in Paris, France circa 1971.
Torsten Marquardt of Germany pours some whiskey on the tomb of rock singer Jim Morrison at the Pere-Lachaise cemetery in Paris in 2021. Fans across Europe gathered at the grave of rock legend Jim Morrison to mark the 50th anniversary of his death.

Overview

  • The marble bust, created by Croatian artist Mladen Mikulin in 1981, was stolen from Jim Morrison's grave at Père Lachaise Cemetery in 1988.
  • French police discovered the bust by chance during a search related to an unrelated fraud investigation, 37 years after its disappearance.
  • The sculpture, weighing approximately 128kg, remains intact but is heavily graffitied and missing parts, including its nose.
  • No decision has been made on whether the bust will be returned to Morrison's gravesite, according to cemetery curator Benoît Gallot.
  • Morrison’s grave continues to attract fans and tourists, underscoring ongoing challenges in preserving cultural heritage and memorial security.