Marjorie Tallchief Statue Stolen From Tulsa Museum Found In Pieces At Recycling Center

The statue of famous ballerina Marjorie Tallchief stolen from the Tulsa Historical Society and Museum was found today, at a Catoosa recycling plant, cut up in pieces. 

The executive director of the museum says the bronze statue is part of a one-of-a-kind collection of art and she's devastated. Michelle Place says this statue is a symbol of what Native Americans have given to this world, and she can't believe someone would do something like this, just to make a few bucks.  

"I do not have that mindset that can begin to understand the why of that," Place said. 

The statue is part of an art installation at the museum honoring five Native American Ballerinas from Oklahoma. 

Executive director Michelle Place says someone stole the statue of Marjorie Tallchief last week, and today a few pieces were found at a Catoosa Recycling plant.

"I think when I first heard the news that she had been located, there was certainly an element of joy, but I guess it's like those five stages of grief that you move through, and I'm really angry now, I'm very very angry," she said. 

She says she's hopeful the museum will get every piece of the statue back, but even if they do.. it could be tricky to put it all back together. 

Place says they aren't sure what's next for getting the statue back with the other four dancers. 

"One of the sad pieces of this story is that the original molds that were at a foundry were destroyed in a fire, so it's not like we can just go and have another one poured and go through that process, it's much more difficult," she said. 

She says this has been a senseless act that has broken her heart, and she's worried someone could do something to the remaining four sculptures. 

"Do you have any idea of the significance of the damage that has been done, and I doubt that they do, I mean we can only surmise why somebody would do this," she said. 

She says if you have any information you can call Crimestoppers at 918-596-COPS.