Antiquities Dealer Who Exposed British Museum Thefts Dies
A Danish antiques dealer has died of cancer. His death follows his role in uncovering the museum security breach. Gradel warned the museum about a thief selling its treasures in 2021 after purchasing hundreds of ancient carved gemstones on eBay. The museum did not contact police until 2023 following an internal investigation that found 2,000 items were stolen, missing, or damaged. Gradel served as a key witness in the ongoing investigation. His expertise enabled the discovery of a thief operating within the institution and selling treasures on eBay. Museum administrators had initially ignored the accusations of theft. The source described him as a prominent lexicographer and critic of 18th-century English. He was noted for being a large, erudite man with an acerbic writing style. His works were characterized as being more temperamental than standard academic anthologies.
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Sources · 7 independent
“The Danish antiques dealer, who exposed the theft of hundreds of artefacts from the British Museum in London has died of cancer.”
“from the British Museum in London has died of cancer. Dr Itaig”
“The Danish antiques dealer who exposed the theft of hundreds of artefacts from the British Museum in London has died of cancer. Dr Itai Gradel was 61.”
“The Danish antiques dealer, who exposed the theft of hundreds of artefacts from the British Museum in London has died of cancer. Dr Itai Gradel was 61.”
“The Danish antiques dealer who exposed the theft of hundreds of artefacts from the British Museum in London has died of cancer.”
“The Danish antiques dealer, who exposed the theft of hundreds of artefacts from the British Museum in London, has died of cancer. He was 61.”
“Dr Itai Gradel warned the British Museum that a thief was selling off its treasures back in 2021. He'd bought hundreds of ancient carved gemstones on eBay before realizing they came from the museum.”
“The Danish antiques dealer who exposed the theft of hundreds of artifacts from the British Museum in London has died of cancer. He was 61.”
“The antiques dealer who exposed the British Museum theft has died. He called himself a prominent lexicographer and critic of 18th-century English.”
“The antiques dealer who exposed the British Museum theft has died.”
“The Danish antiquities dealer who exposed thefts at the British Museum has died. 61-year-old Dr. Itai Gradel accused senior curator Peter Higgs of stealing hundreds of items and was a key witness in the ongoing police investigation.”
“Antiquities dealer who exposed thefts at British Museum dies aged 61Ittai Gradel died of renal cancer days after museum awarded him medal for ‘very significant contribution’”
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