In a remarkable turn of events, French police have recovered the long-lost bust of Jim Morrison, the iconic frontman of The Doors, nearly four decades after it was stolen from his grave at Paris’s Père Lachaise Cemetery. The sculpture, created by Croatian artist Mladen Mikulin in 1981 to commemorate the tenth anniversary of Morrison’s death, vanished in 1988 and had remained missing until now.
The recovery occurred unexpectedly during a search linked to a fraud investigation conducted by the Financial and Anti-Corruption Brigade of the Paris Police. Authorities discovered the bust while executing a search warrant in connection with the case. The sculpture, weighing approximately 128 kilograms, was found to be largely intact, though it bore signs of wear, including a broken nose and existing graffiti that predated its disappearance.
Jim Morrison, who died in Paris in 1971 at the age of 27, was buried in Père Lachaise Cemetery, which has since become a pilgrimage site for fans worldwide. The bust, installed a decade after his death, served as a focal point for admirers paying tribute to the legendary musician. Its theft in 1988 had been a source of mystery and speculation among fans and the public alike.
The fate of the recovered sculpture remains uncertain. Benoît Gallot, curator of Père Lachaise Cemetery, stated that the police have not yet contacted cemetery officials regarding the bust’s return. “The police haven’t contacted us, so I don’t know whether the bust will be returned to us,” he remarked.
The unexpected discovery has reignited interest in Morrison’s legacy and the enduring allure of his final resting place. Fans and admirers hope that the bust will be restored and reinstated at the cemetery, continuing to serve as a tribute to the enduring influence of Jim Morrison and The Doors.
