Traces of DNA recovered in helmet, glove left behind by Louvre jewel heist suspects: Police
The development comes as Louvre director concedes, “We were defeated.”
ByLéontine Gallois, Bill Hutchinson, and Jon Haworth
October 22, 2025, 11:16 PM
Louvre reopens as search for stolen jewels continues Questions are mounting over a major security lapse.
PARIS — In what could be the first major break in the investigation of the $102 million jewel heist at the Louvre Museum, police have found traces of DNA on items the thieves left behind in their hasty getaway, French authorities told ABC News.
The DNA, which investigators are analyzing and hope will lead to the identity of the brazen thieves, was found in one of the helmets and one of the gloves the thieves used in the robbery, French police in charge of the heist investigation told ABC News.
The development came as the director of the Louvre took the hot seat on Wednesday, telling lawmakers she submitted her resignation following Sunday’s daylight robbery from the museum’s ornate Apollo .The development came as the director of the Louvre took the hot seat on Wednesday, telling lawmakers she submitted her resignation following Sunday’s daylight robbery from the museum’s ornate Apollo Gallery.
Traces of DNA recovered in helmet, glove left behind by Louvre jewel heist suspects: Police
The development comes as Louvre director concedes, “We were defeated.”
Louvre reopens as search for stolen jewels continues Questions are mounting over a major security lapse at th…Show more
PARIS — In what could be the first major break in the investigation of the $102 million jewel heist at the Louvre Museum, police have found traces of DNA on items the thieves left behind in their hasty getaway, French authorities told ABC News.
The DNA, which investigators are analyzing and hope will lead to the identity of the brazen thieves, was found in one of the helmets and one of the gloves the thieves used in the robbery, French police in charge of the heist investigation told ABC News.
The development came as the director of the Louvre took the hot seat on Wednesday, telling lawmakers she submitted her resignation following Sunday’s daylight robbery from the museum’s ornate Apollo Gallery.
Laurence des Cars, president and director of the Louvre Museum and French Senator Laurent L…Show more
Bertrand Guay/AFP via Getty Images
Appearing in front of France’s Senate Culture Committee for two hours, Laurence des Cars, the president and director of the Louvre, said her resignation was rejected.
“Last Sunday, after acknowledging … the consequences of the terrible attack we had just suffered, I submitted my resignation to the Minister of Culture. She refused it,” des Cars said.
Amid mounting criticism over the colossal lapse in security at one of the world’s most famous museums, des Cars conceded, “We have been defeated.”
“This tragedy deeply shocked museum staff, fellow citizens, and admirers of the Louvre around the world,” said des Cars, reading an opening statement. “This is an immense wound that has been inflicted on us.”
Des Cars added, “This theft hurts our institution.”
