Antiquities dealer who exposed thefts at British Museum dies aged 61
Summary
Dr. Ittai Gradel, an antiquities dealer who exposed the theft of hundreds of items from the British Museum, has died at age 61. He alerted the museum and police after buying stolen artefacts online and was honored by the museum shortly before his death from cancer. A police investigation into the thefts is still ongoing.Key Facts
- Dr. Ittai Gradel exposed thefts of around 2,000 items, including classical gems and ancient gold jewelry, from the British Museum.
- He bought dozens of stolen artefacts on eBay over several years and reported them to the museum and police.
- The British Museum initially ignored Gradel’s warnings and wrongly told him all items were accounted for.
- A senior curator, Peter Higgs, was suspected of stealing but denies wrongdoing and was later fired.
- The museum’s director resigned after the theft scandal became public, admitting the museum’s poor response.
- Gradel returned more than 360 items he had bought online back to the museum.
- He received a rare medal from the British Museum days before dying of renal cancer.
- The museum plans to digitize its collection to help prevent future thefts.
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