Over the years, the museum and the FBI have received many calls and emails from people who thought they spotted the works of art. However, most of the tips never led anywhere.
By now, several notable figures associated with the heist have passed away. For instance, Richard Abath, one of the security guards tied up during the heist, died in February at the age of 57.
According to Anthony Amore, the director of security at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, art theft typically has a high rate of recovery. Officials are still holding out hope that the pieces will be found and returned to their rightful places.
“Remember, we have a $10 million reward, and this is for information leading to the paintings, not the paintings,” Amore said.
“History has shown that a painting is local. When it is stolen in America, it stays in America. It’s usually recovered relatively close to where it’s stolen.”
A separate reward of $100,000 will be issued for the return of the bronze eagle. Today, the empty frames of the missing works hang on the museum’s walls, awaiting their return.
