Police recover 7 paintings stolen from Edmonton hospital
'It was like absolute elation. It was like having your children back,' says artist Barbara Mitchell
Seven works of art stolen from an Edmonton hospital are now back in the hands of the local artists.
Jeanette Spencer and Barbara Mitchell received their paintings from police on Monday — a month after they were stolen from the Grey Nuns Community Hospital.
"It was like absolute elation," Mitchell told CBC News. "It was like having your children back or something."
Police and security identified a suspect from hospital security footage. A woman willingly turned over the art and wasn't charged, police said, adding that the suspect had mental health issues.
"It pulls at your heart strings," Spencer said. "I'm just so grateful to the hospital and the police for taking the time to do this to get them back."
The hospital regularly features the work of local artists where 20 per cent of sales go to its charity.
Five of Mitchell's geode-style works were swiped from a hall near the entrance of the hospital entrance, using wire cutters.
Spencer's mid-size paintings of a fox and country scene were stolen from the cafeteria.
WATCH | The art came back:
"Covenant Health is pleased to have had these works of art returned thanks to the diligent work of Protective Services," the department that oversees the hospital, said in a statement.
"Our security systems have since been reviewed and will be adjusted."
Both women praised the work of Edmonton police Const. Christine Von Bieker, who worked on the file.
"She just pursued it," Mitchell said. " Kept me in touch by text, emails and phone. First when they identified the suspect and then when they got the paintings back. So I feel very positive about the police in this, they were extremely helpful."
Mitchell's pieces are still in good condition but Spencer says she is attempting to repair damage to the edges of her paintings and remove the smell of cigarette smoke.
They both intend to continue showing their work at the Grey Nuns, and Spencer has already replaced her missing pieces.
'I love these paintings," Spencer said. "You don't realize how much you love them until they go missing or something is taken away from you. So this is quite exciting to have them back and we will see what happens to them in the future."
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