Canadian Gerald Daniel Blanchard was a master thief who pulled off the heist of the century. In 1998, he achieved the impossible by stealing the legendary Sisi Star. This piece of jewelry, which Empress Elisabeth, better known as Sisi, loved to wear in her hair, was once crafted by the Viennese court jeweler Köchert. The Sisi Star, set with diamonds and featuring a large pearl in the center, was the centerpiece of the anniversary exhibition “Elisabeth. Beauty for Eternity,” which took place in June 1998 on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Empress Sisi’s death at Schönbrunn Palace, Austria’s largest palace in Vienna’s 13th district, Hietzing. The precious piece of jewelry, on loan from a private owner in Hungary, was kept in a secure display case made of bulletproof glass. On June 26, 1998, due to a shortage of staff, the chief restorer had to personally take over the tour of the exhibition. When he proudly wanted to present the highlight of the exhibition to the visitors, he couldn’t believe his eyes. Because there was a duplicate in the display case. He immediately alerted the police, who arrived in large numbers. How could this have happened? For years, the police were in the dark about who had stolen the Sisi Star. Then, after nine years, it suddenly turned up in Winnipeg, Canada, at the home of Blanchard’s grandmother. Blanchard was known in Canada as the Master Thief. This was after he had been arrested for various thefts. Blanchard turned out to be the thief of the Sisi Star. But how had Blanchard managed this spectacular robbery? The media was keen to find out. Blanchard told an adventurous story that could have come from the script of an action thriller. He had visited the anniversary exhibition in June 1998. When he saw the Sisi Star, he was determined to steal it, so he loosened the screws on the display case when no one was looking. Then, at night, he flew over Schönbrunn Palace in a friend’s plane. He jumped out of the plane and landed on the roof of the palace thanks to his parachute. He then rappelled down into the exhibition rooms on the first floor. He then climbed in through a window that he had opened during his visit to the exhibition the day before. He went to the empress’s former breakfast room and unscrewed the display case containing the Sisi Star. He then stole the star and replaced it with a fake. He fled across the Schönbrunn Palace gardens. He smuggled the jewel back to his home country of Canada in a compressed air tank in his diving equipment. The theft was not noticed until weeks later, as the chief restorer himself had given a guided tour of the exhibition. In August 2008, the Sisi Star returned intact to Vienna, where it can still be admired today in the Sisi Museum. Blanchard was never charged with the theft, as the star was the least of the Canadians’ concerns regarding the master thief. To this day, it is hard to believe how easy it was to steal the Sisi Star.
By Isabella Mueller
Welcome to my journey through creativity and discovery! My name is Isabella Mueller, and I invite you to explore the fascinating creative universes I create through my blogs. Since 2020, I have been dedicating my passion to telling captivating stories that are mysterious, historical, and emotional. My goal is not only to entertain, but also to inspire reflection and awaken the spirit of discovery in each of us. At isabellas.blog, the suspense of crime stories is combined with exciting travel tips. Imagine wandering through the picturesque streets of a new city, uncovering dark secrets hidden in the shadows of its history. Every piece on my blog is designed to make the heart of every crime fiction fan beat faster while sparking curiosity about unknown places. Here, you are invited to experience the thrill of the unknown and the beauty of our world—a perfect combination for all adventure seekers! My second blog, akteq.com, is all about true, unsolved crime stories. Under the motto “akteQ: Cold Case Stories,” I reveal the eerie and often tragic stories behind unsolved cases. Together, we can explore the mysteries of the past and delve deep into the human psyche. What really happened? Who were the people behind these mysterious events? In this blog, I invite you to ask questions and find the answers that often remain hidden in the dark. You can find another exciting chapter in my blogging career at thecastles.org. Here, I embark on an enchanting journey through the history of castles and palaces. Pause for a moment as you discover the stories hidden within the walls of these ancient structures. “Explore the enchantment, discover the history – your journey begins at thecastles.org!” These words are more than just a slogan; they are an invitation to anyone who wants to combine history and magic. Be inspired by the impressive stories and the fascination of bygone eras! But that's not all! At kripo.org, you'll find a comprehensive online magazine for real criminal cases. Immerse yourself in the world of crime, learn about the real stories behind the headlines and the people who are involved in solving them. With criminal.energy, I take you on a journey through the gripping stories of true crimes in which villains are hunted, caught, and convicted. The search for justice and the confrontation with the unknown are at the center of it all. TrueCrime Blog 187.news takes you into the depths of crime. And for those who want to travel the world, wanderlust.plus offers the opportunity to explore the world, one adventure at a time. It's all about the love of exploration and the joy of discovering new cultures and landscapes. Finally, truecrime.ch invites you to discover the dark side of Switzerland and Europe: true crimes, true stories. Let's discover together the stories that shape the world around us. I look forward to accompanying you on this exciting journey and hope you will share many unforgettable moments with me!