The Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris is home to some of the all-time greatest artists, such as Edith Piaf, Oscar Wilde, Chopin, and Proust. I already have my plot reserved. But just because it's hallowed ground, doesn't mean it's invulnerable to grave robbers. In 1988, the statue of Jim Morrison was stolen from his grave, only to turn up now, almost four decades later.
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During a completely unrelated raid by the French police, the bust of Jim Morrison was found. Little can be said at this time about the investigation. However, the branch that located the missing statue is part of the financial and anti-corruption arm of the law.
The statue, which weighed over 300 pounds, was found on the property. According to the report, it is in the same state it was originally stolen. The nose is broken off, as is the mouth, just as it was, and it is still covered in graffiti. Whoever stole it, or bought and sold it, clearly cared to keep it in its original condition.
The statue of Jim Morrison was originally added to his grave in 1981 on the 10th anniversary of his death. It was stolen only 7 years later, meaning it his been off his grave longer than it was on it. At present, according to Le Figaro, the cemetery's curator, "The police haven't contacted us, so I don't know whether the bust will be returned to us."
Jim Morrison Hardly Left To Rest in Peace
The theft of the statue of Jim Morrison isn't the only wild thing to happen at the legendary musician's grave. Visiting it today will show just how many people have paid homage at his resting site. Like the statue itself, his grave and many surrounding it are covered in graffiti.
The words are those of love and respect to those lying at rest in the area. However, the theft of the notorious Jim Morrison statue was disrespectful. Hopefully, we will see it returned.
In 1991, on the 20th anniversary of Jim Morrison's death, a small riot broke out at his grave. 100s of fans came to his resting place, and played music, drank, and lived it up in his honor. Police arrived and quickly broke up the memorial service using batons and pepper spray. Nice.
