Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (b)
These sequined shoes, known as the “traveling pair,” were one of the last remaining sets used in the 1939 film, and their disappearance in 2005 from the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, left a void in both cinema history and the heart of a community proud to call itself Garland’s birthplace.
The return ceremony, held at the Judy Garland Museum, was a restoration of justice, healing the wounds inflicted on both Shaw and the museum itself. “The Judy Garland Museum survived the impact of this violation and is grateful to be a part of the homecoming,” said John Kelsh, founding director of the Judy Garland Museum. “We continue to serve visitors from around the world; expect a Ruby Slipper Crime exhibit in our future.”
During the ceremony, in Garland’s childhood home, the iconic ruby slippers were placed on their original pedestal reclaiming not just an artifact but rekindling the museum’s identity as a guardian of Garland’s legacy. When Shaw, accompanied by his niece, laid eyes on the slippers for the first time in nearly two decades, he likened the experience to a heartfelt reunion with a long-lost friend.
He then had the opportunity to meet Special Agent Christopher Dudley and Chief Morgan, who dedicated countless hours to the case and ensured the safe return of the iconic slippers. Dudley surprised Shaw by not only returning the ruby slippers but also presenting him with the single red sequin that was left at the scene of the crime almost twenty years ago.
“It was incredibly rewarding and fitting to see Mr. Shaw reunited with the ruby slippers, at Judy Garland’s home, accompanied by his friends on the museum staff,” Dudley said. “It is a privilege for the FBI and our Art Crime Team to work alongside law enforcement partners who truly value the importance of protecting our nation’s cultural heritage.”
Both the museum and Shaw expressed their deep gratitude to the FBI and Grand Rapids Police Department for their commitment and tenacity. To some, these slippers were not just shoes; they were the embodiment of magic, nostalgia, and the dreams of countless moviegoers who identified with Dorothy’s adventure down the yellow brick road.