The Investigation

Investigation of the Gardner heist has lead authorities on a wild goose chase involving Boston's Irish mob and the IRA. Many people theorize that a heist of this scale could not be done without the O.K. of Boston's organized crime underworld. Boston's notorious leader of the Winter Hill Gang, Whitey Bulger, is believed to have a great deal of knowledge concerning the robbery.

The IRA, an organization dedicated to overthrowing British rule in Northern Ireland, is also suspected in being involved in the heist. The paramilitary group has been involved in similar crimes. In 1974, the IRA stole nineteen paintings from the Russborough House near Dublin, Ireland as a bargaining attempt for four imprisoned IRA members.

To date, the art from the Gardner Museum was never recovered and despite a ton of suspects and leads, the police and FBI have little evidence to convict any one of the many suspects.