After a two-year-long investigation, the Ottawa Police Service has successfully tracked down the stolen portrait of Sir Winston Churchill, known as the Roaring Lion, which was taken from Ottawa’s Fairmont Chateau Laurier. The portrait was reported stolen in August 2022, but it was determined to have been taken between Christmas Day in 2021 and Jan. 6, 2022. A staff member at the hotel noticed that the frame in the Reading Lounge was not hanging properly, leading to the discovery that the photo in the frame was a copy, not the original. The hotel’s general manager expressed deep sadness over the brazen theft.
The stolen portrait of Churchill, originally photographed by Yousuf Karsh in 1941, was sold through an auction house in London to an Italian buyer. Both the buyer and the auction house were unaware that the piece was stolen, according to a statement from police. Karsh, who lived at the Chateau Laurier for 18 years and had his studio there for 20 years, took the iconic portrait of Churchill. The photograph was taken after Churchill gave a speech to Canada’s House of Commons on Dec. 30, 1941.
Karsh recalled the moment he took the famous portrait of Churchill, describing how he plucked the cigar out of the prime minister’s mouth without premeditation, capturing the scowl that has become iconic. Following tips from the public, forensic analysis, and international cooperation with Italian law enforcement, the suspect in the theft was tracked down. A 43-year-old man from Powassan, Ont., was arrested and charged with theft, trafficking of the portrait, forgery, and mischief causing damage exceeding $5,000.
Ottawa police worked with the Carabinieri, Italy’s national law enforcement, and a private citizen in Genoa who purchased the portrait to ensure its return to Canada. The purchaser is expected to turn over the portrait to Ottawa police in Rome, who will then bring it back to Canada for it to be returned to its rightful place in the Fairmont Chateau Laurier. The suspect’s name is protected by a publication ban, and he has made an appearance in court to face the charges related to the theft of the portrait.
The return of the stolen portrait of Sir Winston Churchill is a significant moment for Ottawa’s Fairmont Chateau Laurier, where the iconic portrait has a long history. The investigation into the theft spanned two years, involving international cooperation with Italian law enforcement and private citizens. The portrait, originally taken by Yousuf Karsh in 1941, captures a defining moment in Churchill’s life and has now been recovered and is expected to be returned to its rightful place in the hotel.
The impact of the stolen portrait being returned goes beyond its monetary value; it holds historical and cultural significance for both the Chateau Laurier and the city of Ottawa. The successful resolution of the case highlights the importance of collaboration between law enforcement agencies, both domestically and internationally, in solving complex criminal investigations. The return of the portrait to its original location is a testament to the perseverance and dedication of the investigators involved in the case, who worked tirelessly to recover the stolen artwork and bring the perpetrator to justice.
