A bust of Jim Morrison, the legendary frontman of The Doors, has been recovered nearly four decades after it was stolen from his grave in Paris. French police confirmed the bronze sculpture, missing since 1988, was found during a search operation led by the Financial and Anti-Corruption Brigade under the Paris Public Prosecutor&rsquos Office. The discovery was described as a &ldquochance finding&rdquo during an unrelated investigation.

The bust, crafted by Croatian sculptor Mladen Mikulin, was originally placed at Morrison&rsquos tomb in Père Lachaise cemetery in 1981, marking the 10th anniversary of his death. It became a key symbol for fans visiting the site, which remains one of the most visited graves in Paris. Morrison died in 1971 at the age of 27 and was buried in Paris, where he had been living with his girlfriend Pamela Courson.Visitors look at the grave of Jim Morrison at the Pere Lachaise cemetery in Paris, France, on July 1, 2021, two days before the 50th anniversary of the singer's death. Yoan Valet/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Jeff Jampol, manager of the Jim Morrison Estate, said the family was pleased to learn of the recovery, noting the bust held emotional and historical value. While the condition of the sculpture is yet to be assessed, its rediscovery revives a part of Morrison&rsquos legacy that has long been missing.