One Suspect Dead, Another Sentenced in Decades-Long Saga of Stolen Ruby Slippers

The mystery surrounding the theft of the iconic ruby red slippers from "The Wizard of Oz" in 2005 has taken another turn, with one of the accused men passing away and the other already sentenced for his role in the crime. Jerry Hal Saliterman, indicted in March 2024 on charges of theft of a major artwork and witness tampering, has died at the age of 77, leading to the dismissal of the case against him. This development leaves Terry Jon Martin as the sole convicted individual in the decades-long investigation into the missing slippers.

Saliterman’s indictment marked a significant development in the case, as he was the second person formally charged in connection with the theft. Martin had previously confessed to stealing the slippers from the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, the actress’s hometown. However, the indictment suggested Saliterman played a more intricate role, extending from the initial theft in August 2005 to the eventual recovery of the slippers by the FBI in July 2018.

Prosecutors filed a motion to dismiss the case against Saliterman upon learning of his death, which U.S. District Chief Judge Patrick J. Schiltz of Minnesota granted. Saliterman’s lawyer has not yet commented on the matter.

The indictment against Saliterman outlined serious allegations, accusing him of receiving, concealing, and disposing of an object of cultural heritage worth at least $100,000 – specifically, an authentic pair of ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in the beloved 1939 film. Furthermore, he was accused of intimidating a witness to prevent her from cooperating with the FBI, allegedly threatening to "take her down with him" and distribute compromising material to her family. These accusations painted a picture of Saliterman as deeply involved in the aftermath of the theft, actively working to keep the slippers hidden and obstruct the investigation.

The stolen slippers were one of only four known pairs worn by Garland during the filming of "The Wizard of Oz," making them an invaluable piece of Hollywood history. They were on display at the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids when they vanished in the middle of the night in August 2005. The theft sent shockwaves through the community and the wider world of film memorabilia collectors.

According to a memo released by Martin’s attorney, Martin stumbled upon the slippers while they were on display near his home. Believing the attached gems were genuine rubies, he thought he could fetch a significant sum on the black market. Ironically, Martin had never even seen "The Wizard of Oz" and was unaware of the slippers’ cultural significance. He reportedly broke into the museum by smashing a window and then breaking the plexiglass case housing the slippers.

Martin’s account suggests a relatively simple crime driven by the lure of quick riches. He claimed to have only had the slippers for two days before realizing the gems were fake. Disappointed and considering them worthless, he said he gave them to an associate without receiving any payment. Martin apparently swore off crime after this experience.

Martin, also 77, was sentenced in January 2024 to one year of supervised release and ordered to pay $23,500 in restitution to the museum. His attorney cited his poor health as a contributing factor to the lenient sentence. While Martin admitted to the initial theft, the details surrounding the slippers’ whereabouts for the following 13 years remained shrouded in mystery until Saliterman’s indictment.

Court records provide limited information about Saliterman’s specific role, but the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported that he allegedly buried the slippers in a plastic container in his yard for approximately seven years. This detail highlights the extent to which the slippers were hidden and the challenges faced by investigators in recovering them.

For 13 years, investigators pursued countless leads, theories, and dead ends, but the slippers remained elusive. The breakthrough finally came in 2018 when a man contacted the company that had insured the slippers, claiming to have information about their location and offering to facilitate their return. This tip led to an FBI sting operation that resulted in the recovery of the slippers.

Following their recovery, the slippers were taken to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, where they were identified as the "traveling pair." This designation refers to the pair of slippers that were used for publicity and travel purposes related to the film.

The recovered slippers were eventually sold for a staggering $32 million at an auction in December 2024, underscoring their immense value and cultural significance. The sale marked a triumphant end to a long and arduous journey for the slippers, which had been missing for over a decade.

The theft of the ruby slippers captured the public’s imagination, becoming a symbol of audacious crime and the enduring power of a beloved film. The case highlights the complexities of art theft and the challenges faced by law enforcement in recovering stolen cultural treasures.

The passing of Jerry Hal Saliterman closes one chapter in this ongoing saga, leaving Terry Jon Martin as the only individual held accountable for the crime. While the recovery of the slippers and their subsequent auction brought a sense of closure, the full story of their disappearance and the motivations of those involved may never be fully known. The ruby slippers, now safely housed in a museum and celebrated for their historical value, serve as a reminder of the enduring magic of "The Wizard of Oz" and the allure of Hollywood history.