By Tim Binnall
An odd rock and roll mystery has been somewhat resolved as French authorities recently stumbled upon a bust of Jim Morrison that was stolen from his grave nearly 40 years ago. According to a local media report, the stone depiction of the Doors singer was installed at his burial spot in Père Lachaise Cemetery in 1981 to commemorate the tenth anniversary of his passing. Over the next seven years, the bust became a fixture at the site as Morrison's fans flocked to his grave to pay their respects to the late musician. However, to their dismay, the sculpture vanished in May of 1988 and was not seen again until Parisian police surprisingly unveiled it on social media last week.
In a tantalizing Instagram post, the Paris Public Prosecutor's Office excitedly announced the recovery of the beloved bust. Maddeningly, they merely indicated that it was indadvertently discovered during "an investigation conducted by the Financial and Anti-Corruption Brigade" into what is believed to be a fraud case. Beyond that bit of insight, many mysteries remain, such as who possessed the pilfered bust, if its whereabouts over the last 37 years could be ascertained, and, of course, who took it in the first place. There's also the additional matter of what might become of it now, since one imagines authorities may be reticent to simply re-install the highly prized piece at Morrison's grave where anyone can get their hands on it.