Overview
- Ittai Gradel died on April 28 of renal cancer, days after receiving a British Museum medal recognizing his role, according to BBC News.
- The gems expert first warned the museum in 2021 after spotting its artifacts for sale on eBay and he identified senior curator Peter Higgs as the suspected seller.
- The museum initially told him there was no evidence, then in January 2023 it reported to police that hundreds of objects were missing or damaged.
- Roughly 2,000 objects are now known to have been affected, with hundreds recovered and further searches led by director Nicholas Cullinan.
- Police have announced no arrests, Higgs denies wrongdoing, and Gradel told the BBC he was frustrated he would not see the case resolved.