Mystery deepens: Was the de Kooning painting the only stolen art in couple’s home?

[@danielschmitt1935]

Retired schoolteachers turned art thieves. Sounds like a movie in the works!

[@danielmartin7838]

A real life Thomas Crown Affair

[@alex5308]

They were art thieves their whole lives I think not just when retired! Cool story hahaha

[@perryann6946]

I wonder if this is the same couple that stole a priceless Chief's blanket from The Amerind Foundation in Arizona. Same sort of circumstance...late 80's...the man distracted the volunteers while the woman went upstairs, cut the blanket down and wrapped it around and underneath her oversize skirt. To date, it's never been recovered.

[@harizotoh7]

Very likely and similar area. These two seem like accomplished art thieves.

[@missladyanonymity]

"Accomplished" because they have the privilege to not "arouse suspicion." They aren't "profiled."

[@carianin5293]

Where they lived was amazing but how they lived was even more amazing. The home, the artwork, the trips around the world. And teachers at that.

[@carenfarmer4794]

And art thieves!

[@mprkg]

It was not ripped. The husband cut it out with a blade. The couple were crooks. They lived in middle of nowhere and traveled around the world on a K-12 salary in the 1960s supposedly with 2 kids. Something very wrong with that story!

[@spudspuddy]

he was DB Cooper

[@carenfarmer4794]

They were art tnieves.

[@_Ben4810]

I wonder if they were thieving or fencing stolen artworks globally whenever they travelled to such faraway locations...🤔

[@Dovelunalove]

that’s what they are saying on the documentary about this. one of the neighbors had this theory. and especially because they always vacationed with their kids to exotic destinations that typically aren’t chosen for family getaways. and the man retired in his 40s. also over a million in their regular checking (not savings) was left behind.

[@mprkg]

Fencing?

[@NeighborofKT]

@@mprkg yes, fencing means selling a stolen item.

[@d.b.1858]

Seemingly ... you are the only one's who thought they were a, 'Seemingly Ordinary Retired Couple'.

[@ronhat-nx6yq]

I think this pair of thieves were really playing a joke on those who think this is art! All this just proves how looney people are. It would be interesting to know how these 2 actually made a living and how they did it.

[@1ACL]

Why didn't the museum in Taos list the paintings as stolen with the FBI ??? Thats weird, right?

[@renodavid]

@@1ACL They tried to do that. Another story mentions that, at the time of the theft, the artworks had to be worth more than $50,000 to be put in the FBI’s database. Those paintings probably didn’t meet that threshold at the time, but of course they do now…

[@1ACL]

@renodavid oh, ok. Thanks for responding.

[@myopinion6092]

lmao, why Hide it behind a bedroom door..if it was legally bought!! most non con artists would want to display it openly!!

[@carenfarmer4794]

It wasn't legally bought. They stole it out of an art musuem in Tucson!

[@bunnyluver2176]

Probably got a little delight every time they shut their bedroom door and saw the stolen art.

[@lawiwis882]

How are people still not sure? They were obviously thieves. I think they stole the fortune they used to fund their travels and they had a kink or thing for stealing. Why else would it be at the feet of their bed? They were proud of their actions.

[@ronhat-nx6yq]

Abstract art: A product of the untalented sold by the unprincipled to the utterly bewildered.

[@mr.iforgot3062]

The art house should reimburse the buyer. The buyer has to return the paintings. It's the only way the art house will be able to stay in business.

[@stjbananas]

His daughter, Lisa, was a good friend of mine here in the Virgin Islands. I saw her the day before she died at the pub I worked at at the time. She spoke so highly of her father, and the famous people who often stayed with them when she was child. I miss her dearly.

[@Seeker0fTruth]

How did she die? I’ve seen others in the comments allege she had an IQ of 80… What more do you know about her and/or their family?

[@stjbananas]

@Seeker0fTruth she was one of the most intelligent, interesting, beautiful humans I ever met, much less called friend. Her "i.q.," whatever that means, rivaled noones. She was as street smart as she was intellectually proficient.

[@Pippi-Longstocking]

What’s really sad, from what I understand, when the museums were contacted at first, no one responded. Makes you wonder many other painting that might have gone to auction or goodwill or trash because museums don’t respond.

[@flyingsword135]

They don't want it back, insurance paid them. Art world is a big money laundry operation.

[@luisgordillo1695]

Just watched the one on the De Kooning painting. This Guy Has DB Cooper written all over him !! 😱😱🤔🤔

[@spudspuddy]

i said that, the video of him is cooper to a tee

[@luisgordillo1695]

@@spudspuddy Yup He was a music teacher , could explain the metal on his tie. teachers wear ties.

[@starriderkittykat9064]

Sounds like maybe they we’re dealing in stolen art…

[@chrisfleming701]

Teachers don’t make enough money to buy and resell artwork even if it was stolen. More likely he was the thief.

[@jjjones8609]

Plus, they traveled a lot. Perhaps the stealing of art help fund those trips? Decided to keep some of the art for himself?

[@jjjones8609]

There would be receipts of those art purchases if they were really purchased legitimately. I doubt there are any receipts.

[@danielmartin7838]

It seems as though the thrill and appreciation of art were also factors. Every couple should have a hobby they enjoy together

[@Seeker0fTruth]

@@danielmartin7838The latter bit lol🤣

[@catwoman2596]

The executor of their Will is HORRIBLE. Just donating and giving away everything.

[@stjbananas]

The family aren't greedy p's of s like the rest of the world around them.

[@stjbananas]

The deKoonings, I mean.

[@1ACL]

Wow I'm going to thrifts stores down there! Who knows what's still circulation around!

[@spudspuddy]

bloke who stole them looked like DB Cooper

[@lutomson3496]

old news the teachers lived large on stolen art and are now dead

[@hdskl2150]

Of all the lifestyles to have - can you imagine being fine art thieves 😂 so cray

[@johnanon6938]

What about all the small cultural artifacts that were dumped at local thrift store and the rest dumped in the trash? How much of them were stolen from other countries because as long as the couple had a (fake) receipt from something else they bought that could be passed off for the artifacts then in 1980s it would pass through customs without a thought.

[@bryanfrombuffalo7685]

I think he worked as a spy truthfully and the school music thing was a cover

[@Seeker0fTruth]

Absolutely 💯

[@trueloveingod2691]

They could’ve had stolen paintings stashed in storage units or other places too.

[@MG-iu4eh]

So they were art thieves posing as nice, normal regular folks! 😂

[@mprkg]

Great security!

[@veramae4098]

There are sites that will sell you a painting that's an exact copy of a famous work, painted. Have your own Mona Lisa!

[@TheOtherKine]

Who the heck were these thieving couple? LMAO

[@mprkg]

Read. Google is your friend

[@TheOtherKine]

@@mprkg It doesn't actually say, in any of the documentaries or news articles, they don't KNOW LMAO But you wouldn't understand what a rhetorical question is, would ya, you know it's akin to sarcasm? Ah well it's ok that you're not too smart LMAO

[@keithangstadt4950]

The husband looks alot like D.B. Cooper

[@Llamadosalvaje]

LOOKS LIKE THE THOMAS CROWN CASE MOVIE WHIT PIERCE BROSNAN

[@stephaniehowe0973]

Of course it wasnt. Crazy he sold it all so cheap.

[@markjoseph196]

Why are people stealing artworks knowing that they can’t sell it ? 🤔

[@VirgilVanhelsun]

I'm an artist I strongly believe the auction house should be shut down

[@nikiryan8648]

yep, they were local and they KNEW for sure.

[@Naveandlaen]

They definitely stole a lot of art on their trips

[@carolr7823]

They are felony thieves. How did they get all their wealth? Did they steal a lot of art and sell it?

[@lisasmith9311]

I’ve been searching for art my dad left to us in the 80’s they were once in a museum but my mom took them out to make sure they would be divided but she passed over 15 years ago and they were taken from her him they have to be somewhere in Lewis Clark valley or close

[@JFKismyhusband_]

@@lisasmith9311 are they in a bank vault possibly?

[@starriderkittykat9064]

I hope you have pictures of the art,if so put online asking if anyone has seen them..

[@lisasmith9311]

@@JFKismyhusband_no the whole family knew they were supposed to be divided between kids

[@JFKismyhusband_]

@@lisasmith9311 that sucks. I’m sorry I hope you’re able to find them, perhaps you could go to your local art school or gallery maybe they would have a clue?

[@ccrabbitma]

Two very extreme art enthusiasts.

[@ronhat-nx6yq]

These two thieves should have placed the painting in the potty rather than just behind the bathroom door. Oh, but then it would have been more valuable because it would have smelled bad too!

[@TheMiccoliGroup]

My guess that family were in the witness protection program.

[@danielmartin7838]

Doubtful. I think this how the two of them spent quality time together, in a world all their own

[@Seeker0fTruth]

Nah…sleeper agents more likely

[@lindafarnes486]

I'm betting not.

[@basicallyno1722]

Not gonna lie….theyre kinda cool sounding people ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ wouldn’t invite them into my home though 😬

[@ridethroughmexico3494]

Maybe he stole it, created a reproduction and then sold the reproduction to a collector. That collector could never come forward amd the replica destroyed 👀🤷🏻‍♀️

[@bryanfrombuffalo7685]

Ordinary... hardly... Both travels entire world ..on that salary

[@JLCRH]

Those two were evil. I don't find their story glamorous.

[@kier3202]

Fraud

[@danielmartin7838]

I like this couple!

[@joyceedwards6112]

You don't make $ when it's been in your house for years

[@keithangstadt4950]

Story has it that she was the model that inspired the painting. She was there as the artist was painting it. They never intended to sell it, it was personal.

[@dansherwood9851]

Stolen? Nooooo

[@hollydisanto9148]

Ordinary couple. ? lol. Not certain. They have stolen paintings hidden In Their home ? 🤔 they travelled in a teacher salary. ? 🤔😆

[@mprkg]

Spielberg... Catch me if you can 2.0

[@sheepdog1102]

They call that art? It looks like something a five year old would do!

[@RumpelFourSkin]

Yawn

[@flyingsword135]

I wouldn't pay 20 bucks for that silly painting.

[@mprkg]

The painting is hideous! Wouldn't pay $1 for it!

[@ggh546-kz6re]

I've seen people be convicted on much less (circumstantial evidence) It must be *wonderful* to have 🤔: "The skin-tonee , for the protection"!!! 😉 aka: ❤ how they wrapped/solved/closed the case, w/o there being a single guilty party; (just circumstantial evidence of) who 🤷/🤐 committed the *actual theft in the 1st place* 😉 ***What a "wholesome" story/conclusion/final ending; by the FBI/police/etc*** 🤨 (ie/sidenote: interesting how, even after being told, both paintings weren't *immediately* listed on the FBI website....Mmmm, "as stolen art" 😔) -THE END ⚠️

[@jfredmuggs56]

Hard to arrest and convict DEAD PEOPLE! PREJUDICED, YOU, MUCH?

[@keithstringer1140]

Yeah, I saw the documentary.