A New Mexico couple, Jerry and Rita Alter, who appeared to lead a normal life, are now suspected of masterminding an art theft in the 1980s, as reported by The Metro. They are accused of stealing a valuable Willem de Kooning painting valued at approximately 120,000,000 pounds from an Arizona art museum.
Following Jerry’s death, the missing painting was found behind a bedroom door in their home. According to the news source, the FBI is now examining their possible involvement in other art thefts after discovering additional paintings in their residence.
Although the Alters had modest incomes, they managed to travel the world extensively. Their nephew disclosed to the FBI that Rita possessed a substantial amount of money in bonds before her demise.
Couple’s modest earnings contrasted by million-dollar bond holdings
According to The Metro, Rita had amassed over $1,000,000 in bonds, even though her annual salary was just about $16,000. It is believed that their wealth was largely derived from various inheritances.
The couple is also suspected by investigators of stealing two other artworks from the Harwood Museum of Art in New Mexico in 1985. Efforts are underway by the FBI to track these paintings down.
One of the stolen artworks was later identified and returned to the Tucson museum after patrons at a local charity shop noticed it. The fate of the other two paintings is thought to be that they were sold at an auction in Arizona.
The Harwood Museum is actively seeking tips from the public about the two missing artworks.
Juniper Leherissey, the Harwood Museum’s executive director, expressed to the Taos News, “I don’t know if they’ve since been sold to that buyer, but likely someone purchased them and has been living with them for many years. Hopefully, they’ll recognize that they belong to the Harwood and give them back.”