What's happened
A new book by retired FBI agent Geoffrey Kelly revisits the 1990 Boston museum theft, dismissing theories involving the Corsican mob and IRA. Current investigations focus on Boston mobsters linked to Carmello Merlino, with two deceased suspects resembling the thieves. The FBI offers up to $10 million for information.
What's behind the headline?
Theories Debunked
- Kelly dismisses the Corsican mob theory, citing investigations that found no links to the stolen artworks.
- The IRA and James Bulger theories are also rejected, with Kelly emphasizing the lack of evidence.
Current Focus
- The FBI now concentrates on Boston mobsters connected to Carmello Merlino.
- Two suspects, Leonard DiMuzio and George Reissfelder, are believed to have executed the theft.
- Reissfelder’s brother’s statement about seeing a stolen work at his brother’s apartment supports this.
Broader Implications
- The case exemplifies how organized crime can be involved in art thefts.
- The FBI’s ongoing efforts highlight the difficulty in recovering stolen art and prosecuting suspects posthumously.
- The $10 million reward underscores the importance of recovering the artworks, which remain missing.
Future Outlook
- The investigation may shift as new evidence emerges, but the focus on mob-related suspects remains firm.
- The case continues to symbolize the challenge of art crime enforcement and the enduring mystery of the stolen masterpieces.
What the papers say
The Independent reports that Geoffrey Kelly, in his new book 'Thirteen Perfect Fugitives,' dismisses several popular theories, including the involvement of the Corsican mob and IRA, emphasizing the focus on Boston mobsters. The New York Times highlights Kelly’s detailed investigation, particularly his rejection of these theories and the current focus on mob figures linked to Carmello Merlino. The NY Post adds context about the suspects, noting that two deceased mobsters, Leonard DiMuzio and George Reissfelder, are believed to have carried out the theft, with Reissfelder’s brother claiming he saw a stolen artwork at his brother’s apartment. All sources agree that the case remains unresolved, with a significant reward offered for information leading to the recovery of the stolen art.
How we got here
The theft occurred on March 18, 1990, when two men posing as police officers stole 13 artworks worth over $500 million from a Boston museum. Over the decades, various theories emerged about the perpetrators, including organized crime groups and political groups. Kelly's investigation narrows the focus to Boston mobsters associated with Carmello Merlino, with suspects Leonard DiMuzio and George Reissfelder believed to have carried out the heist. Both men died shortly after the theft, but evidence such as resemblance to police sketches and Reissfelder’s brother’s account keep the case open.
Go deeper
More on these topics
-
The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is an art museum in Boston, Massachusetts, which houses significant examples of European, Asian, and American art. Its collection includes paintings, sculpture, tapestries, and decorative arts.
-
Geoffrey Kelly (born October 23, 1956, in Dumfries, Scotland) is a Canadian rock musician. He played guitars, flutes and bodhrán for the folk rock band Spirit of the West, for whom he was also the lead vocalist on some songs: Geoffrey Kelly and John Mann
-
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is the domestic intelligence and security service of the United States and its principal federal law enforcement agency.