Discovering History: Jim Morrison’s Stolen Graveside Bust Resurfaces Amid French Police Investigation

In a surprising turn of events, the bust of Jim Morrison, the famous frontman of The Doors, has been rediscovered after nearly 37 years. This hefty white marble sculpture, adorned with graffiti and missing a piece of its nose, was found by police during a fraud investigation in Paris. It had gone missing from Morrison’s grave at the Père-Lachaise cemetery in 1988.

The bust was created by Croatian artist Mladen Mikulin and placed at Morrison’s grave in 1981, a decade after the singer’s untimely death at 27. Morrison’s cause of death is still debated, but most reports state he died of cardiac arrest in his bathtub.

Over the years, the bust became a gathering spot for fans. They would visit to take photos, leave flowers, and, in earlier days, party around the grave—until a guard was hired to keep watch. Rumors about the bust’s disappearance began immediately. Some people claimed two fans had stolen it on a moped, while others speculated that authorities had hidden it for safekeeping.

In 1994, two Americans were caught trying to install a new bronze bust in its place, hoping to commemorate Morrison. One of them, Todd Mitchell, had spent a large amount of his retirement savings to recreate the sculpture. He said the security guard was baffled when he found them trying to attach the new bust to the grave.

The discovery of the original bust this week generated excitement among fans and Morrisons’ supporters. However, there’s still uncertainty about whether it will return to the cemetery. Benoît Gallot, curator of Père-Lachaise, stated that the police had not reached out for its return.

Interestingly, statues and memorials often act as focal points in cultural conversations. In recent years, many historical figures’ statues have been reevaluated in light of modern values, sparking debates about their future. Morrison, known for his wild lifestyle and poetic lyrics, continues to fascinate and inspire both nostalgia and critique.

As for now, the bust remains in police custody, and fans wait to see if it will return to its rightful place.

For more insights on memorial culture, read the recent report on how societal views impact historical statues here.

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