Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
More than three decades after what is regarded as the largest art theft in history, the mystery of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum heist continues to captivate investigators, art lovers, and amateur sleuths alike.
In his new book, "13 Perfect Fugitives," retired FBI agent Geoffrey Kelly offers an inside look at the 1990 robbery that saw 13 works by masters including Rembrandt, Vermeer, Degas, and Manet disappear from the Boston museum.
"It’s become part of Boston folklore," Kelly says.
Kelly spent 22 years investigating the case and says the title reflects a frustrating reality.
"Unlike human fugitives, the paintings don’t have to pay rent, go to the dentist, or renew a license," he says. "They can just sit and hide."
In the book, Kelly details what he and the FBI believe happened — from the theft itself to the decades-long search that followed.
The stolen artwork, once valued at half a billion dollars and now considered priceless, may have ultimately become too famous to profit from.
"Rather than becoming an asset, it became a liability," Kelly says.
Despite years of dead ends, Kelly remains convinced the story is not over.
"I think there are people alive today who know what happened," he says. "And I think there are people who know where at least some of the pieces are."
Whether the breakthrough comes from law enforcement, a journalist, or an amateur investigator, Kelly says he has only one goal.
"I never cared who solved it," he says. "I just wanted to see the paintings recovered."
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More than three decades after what is regarded as the largest art theft in history, the mystery of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum heist continues to captivate investigators, art lovers, and amateur sleuths alike.
In his new book, "13 Perfect Fugitives," retired FBI agent Geoffrey Kelly offers an inside look at the 1990 robbery that saw 13 works by masters including Rembrandt, Vermeer, Degas, and Manet disappear from the Boston museum.
"It’s become part of Boston folklore," Kelly says.
Kelly spent 22 years investigating the case and says the title reflects a frustrating reality.
"Unlike human fugitives, the paintings don’t have to pay rent, go to the dentist, or renew a license," he says. "They can just sit and hide."
In the book, Kelly details what he and the FBI believe happened — from the theft itself to the decades-long search that followed.
The stolen artwork, once valued at half a billion dollars and now considered priceless, may have ultimately become too famous to profit from.
"Rather than becoming an asset, it became a liability," Kelly says.
Despite years of dead ends, Kelly remains convinced the story is not over.
"I think there are people alive today who know what happened," he says. "And I think there are people who know where at least some of the pieces are."
Whether the breakthrough comes from law enforcement, a journalist, or an amateur investigator, Kelly says he has only one goal.
"I never cared who solved it," he says. "I just wanted to see the paintings recovered."
WCVB is your home for Massachusetts breaking news and weather. For your latest Massachusetts news and weather visit: wcvb.com
For licensing inquiries: wcvb.com/licensing
