Digest

This podcast delves into the captivating story of a stolen $160 million De Kooning painting, "Woman Ochre," which was discovered in the home of a deceased couple, Jerry and Rita Alter. The documentary "The Thief Collector" on Amazon Prime follows the investigation, uncovering a web of intriguing clues and raising questions about the Alters' involvement. The podcast explores the day of the theft, the FBI's perspective on art thieves, and the discovery of the painting in 2017. It delves into Jerry's fictional stories, which are interpreted as possible confessions of his crimes, and the couple's love of travel and their eclectic collection of artifacts. The podcast also examines the evidence suggesting their involvement, including a photo of them in Tucson, Arizona, on Thanksgiving 1985, the same year the painting was stolen, and a blank journal entry for that day. The podcast explores the possibility that the couple's theft was motivated by a personal grudge against the artist, and the disturbing story about Rita witnessing a tribal battle, which is confirmed to be in one of Jerry's books. The podcast concludes with the antique store owners receiving the empty frame of the Decooning painting as a gift from the museum, leaving viewers with a sense of closure regarding the stolen painting.

Outlines

00:00:00

The Mystery of the Stolen De Kooning Painting

This episode introduces the documentary "The Thief Collector" on Amazon Prime, which follows the story of a stolen $160 million De Kooning painting and the couple who owned the house where it was found. The podcast explores the theft of the painting from the University of Arizona Museum of Art in 1985, the investigation, and the discovery of the painting in the home of Jerry and Rita Alter.

00:01:23

The Alters' Lifestyle and the Evidence

This episode delves into the lifestyle of Jerry and Rita Alter, known for their love of travel and their eclectic collection of artifacts. The podcast explores the evidence suggesting their involvement in the theft, including a photo of them in Tucson, Arizona, on Thanksgiving 1985, the same year the painting was stolen, and a blank journal entry for that day.

00:15:30

Jerry's Fictional Stories and the Possible Confessions

This episode examines Jerry's fictional stories, which are interpreted as possible confessions of his crimes. The podcast explores the story "The Cup and the Lip," which is believed to be a fictionalized account of the painting theft, and the disturbing story about Rita witnessing a tribal battle, which is confirmed to be in one of Jerry's books.

00:20:08

The FBI's Investigation and the Missing Artifacts

This episode discusses the FBI's investigation into Rita and Jerry's home, where they found no evidence of stolen artifacts. However, the FBI acknowledges that the lack of reported missing items doesn't mean they weren't stolen, suggesting that they may have stolen smaller, less valuable items from smaller museums.

00:23:04

The Discovery of Authentic Artifacts and the Deception of Reproductions

This episode reveals that some of the artifacts in Rita and Jerry's home, which they claimed were reproductions, were actually authentic and valuable. This includes a Frederick Remington bronze and a painting by J.H. Sharp. The couple's deception about the authenticity of their collection is discussed.

00:26:17

The Possibility of Selling Stolen Artifacts on Trips

This episode explores the possibility that Rita and Jerry may have sold stolen artifacts during their frequent trips. The episode highlights the lack of documentation about their activities during the dates of the thefts and the fact that they were in Arizona at the time a Navajo rug was stolen from a museum.

00:27:51

The Contradiction of Wealth and Modest Living

This episode discusses the contradiction between Rita and Jerry's apparent wealth, evidenced by their stolen artifacts and the Decooning painting, and their modest lifestyle. They lived in a modest house and were known to be frugal, suggesting that they may have been hiding their wealth.

00:33:31

The Septic Tank and the Potential Evidence of Murder

This episode focuses on the septic tank at Rita and Jerry's house, which was 40 years old and had never been emptied. This is significant because in Jerry's book, the body of the murdered gardener is disposed of in the septic tank. The episode explores the possibility that the body may have been in the tank for decades and the implications for the investigation.

00:36:19

The End of the Story and the Legacy of Rita and Jerry

This episode concludes with the antique store owners receiving the empty frame of the Decooning painting as a gift from the museum. The episode reflects on the shocking revelations about Rita and Jerry, their seemingly contradictory personalities, and the impact of their actions.

Keywords

Q&A

• What is the main focus of the documentary "The Thief Collector"?

  The documentary follows the story of a stolen $160 million De Kooning painting and the couple who owned the house where it was found.

• Who are Jerry and Rita Alter, and what is their connection to the stolen painting?

  Jerry and Rita Alter were a couple who owned the house where the stolen De Kooning painting was found. They were known for their eclectic collection of artifacts and their love of travel.

• What evidence suggests that Jerry and Rita may have been involved in the theft of the painting?

  Evidence includes a photo of them in Tucson, Arizona, on Thanksgiving 1985, the same year the painting was stolen, a blank journal entry for that day, and a description of their car that matches the getaway car.

• What is the significance of Jerry's fictional stories in the documentary?

  Jerry's stories are interpreted as possible confessions of his crimes, with one story, "The Cup and the Lip," believed to be a fictionalized account of the painting theft.

• What is the significance of the painting's restoration process in the documentary?

  The restoration process highlights the damage done to the painting when it was stolen and the skill required to restore it to its original condition.

• What is the overall message of the documentary "The Thief Collector"?

  The documentary explores the mystery of the stolen De Kooning painting and the complex characters involved, leaving viewers to decide whether Jerry and Rita were the thieves and whether they got away with their crime.

• What is the possible connection between Rita, Jerry, and the Decooning painting?

  The episode explores the possibility that Rita and Jerry stole the Decooning painting as a form of revenge against the artist, who was known to be a womanizer. They speculate that Rita may have been a model for one of his paintings and felt wronged by him.

• How does the story about Rita witnessing a tribal battle connect to Jerry's writings?

  The story about Rita's disturbing reaction to witnessing a tribal battle is confirmed to be in one of Jerry's books. This suggests that his fictionalized accounts are based on real events, making the murder story in his book more believable.

• What is the significance of the septic tank in the investigation?

  The septic tank at Rita and Jerry's house is significant because it was 40 years old and had never been emptied. This is relevant because in Jerry's book, the body of the murdered gardener is disposed of in the septic tank. The episode explores the possibility that the body may have been in the tank for decades.

• What is the outcome of the investigation into Rita and Jerry?

  The episode concludes with the antique store owners receiving the empty frame of the Decooning painting as a gift from the museum. While the investigation into Rita and Jerry's other crimes remains open, the episode leaves viewers with a sense of closure regarding the stolen painting.

Show Notes