Ep 2. The Thrilling Gardner Museum Heist

In the second episode of season three of BuzzFeed Unsolved: True Crime, Ryan Bergara and Shane Madej take on the case of the infamous Gardner Museum heist. On March 18, 1990, two thieves disguised as police officers entered the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston and made off with 13 priceless works of art, including works by Vermeer, Rembrandt, and Degas. The stolen artwork has never been recovered, and the case remains unsolved to this day.

Ryan and Shane delve into the details of the heist, examining the museum's security measures and the actions of the thieves themselves. They explore possible motives for the theft, including the involvement of criminal organizations or even corrupt individuals within the museum itself. The hosts also investigate several suspects and leads that have been pursued over the years, including the possibility that the heist was carried out by a group of IRA terrorists.

As they look into the case, Ryan and Shane speak with experts in art theft and security, as well as individuals who were involved in the investigation. They detail the difficulties of solving a crime that took place nearly 30 years ago, and the challenges presented by uncooperative witnesses and conflicting accounts.

Throughout the episode, the hosts share their own thoughts and theories on the case, offering possible explanations for why the artwork has never been found. They consider the possibility that the paintings were destroyed or lost, or that they are still hidden somewhere waiting to be discovered.

Ultimately, the episode leaves viewers with a tantalizing mystery that has yet to be solved. Despite the years of investigation and the millions of dollars in rewards offered for information, the Gardner Museum heist remains one of the most high-profile art crimes in history. As Ryan and Shane note, it is a case that may never be fully resolved, leaving people to wonder what truly happened on that fateful day in March 1990.