A recount of the infamous art heist at Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in 1990, reflections on a guard's experience during the robbery, Rick's unprepared encounter with fake police officers, and the aftermath of uncharged suspects and a touching message.
Rick Abath was unprepared and faced long-term repercussions after the biggest art heist in history.
Despite being suspected, Rick Abbeth received support and empathy after sharing his story.
Deep dives
Rick Abbeth's Involvement in the Art Heist
Rick Abbeth, a former security guard at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, recalled the night of the biggest art heist in history that occurred 25 years ago. Two individuals disguised as police officers gained entrance to the museum and stole artwork worth half a billion dollars. Rick, who had little training and was unprepared for such a situation, was tied up, leading to the loss of valuable masterpieces. Despite the ongoing recovery efforts for the stolen art, Rick has faced long-term repercussions from that night.
Rick Abbeth's Personal Struggles and Reflections
Following the robbery, Rick Abbeth was initially suspected and questioned by the FBI and local police. Over the past 25 years, Rick has been periodically interrogated, even though he has not been charged with any crime. The situation has defined much of his life, with Rick reflecting on the impact and responsibility he carries for his role in the art heist. Despite the challenges he has faced, Rick received messages of support and understanding after his story was shared, providing him with a sense of empathy and self-compassion.
In this special episode, we're remembering StoryCorps participant Rick Abath, who talked to his wife, Diana, about being on guard during the biggest art heist in history. Rick died last month at the age of 57.