The Grave Robber

The Biggest Stolen Artifacts Case in FBI History and the Bureau’s Quest to Set Things Right

By: Tim Carpenter

Narrated by: Roger Wayne

The unbelievable true story of how one man stole tens of thousands of priceless artifacts and human remains from around the world—and the FBI’s massive undertaking to set things right.

In The Grave Robber, Tim Carpenter, former FBI Lead Investigator on the Art Crime Team, recounts one of the most extraordinary and unsettling cases in the history of art theft. Over the course of five decades, a lone graverobber accumulated an illicit trove of over 42,000 artifacts from cultures across the globe, including Native American, Haitian, Chinese, and others. The stolen items included nearly 500 ancestral remains, carefully looted from sacred burial sites and cultural heritage locations. Carpenter’s team, driven by an unwavering commitment to justice, embarks on a harrowing journey to track down this elusive criminal and uncover the full scope of the theft. What they find is nothing short of staggering: an illegal collection of immense historical and cultural significance, hidden away in a Midwestern home.

Part true crime narrative, part procedural, The Grave Robber offers a gripping, behind-the-scenes look at the meticulous work involved in tracking down one of the most prolific art thieves in history. Carpenter takes readers inside the FBI’s groundbreaking investigation, detailing the complex challenges of recovering stolen cultural artifacts and the legal and moral dilemmas of repatriating them to their rightful communities. Along the way, the Bureau’s efforts to confront these crimes evolve, as they come to terms with the deep historical wounds caused by such looting—especially the desecration of Native American graves and ancestral sites. With rare access to both the investigation and the impacted communities, Carpenter’s narrative sheds light on the lengths the FBI and tribal representatives go to in their pursuit of justice.

As the case progresses, the narrative expands from a tense pursuit of a criminal to a larger reckoning with history and cultural heritage. The repatriation of these sacred objects and remains to their rightful owners becomes an act of restoration—not just of physical artifacts, but of dignity and respect for the communities whose ancestors were so violently wronged. The story of The Grave Robber is one of redemption and transformation: for the FBI, which redefined its approach to cultural crimes, and for the tribes and cultures who finally see justice done. This riveting account of a stolen past and the quest to make it right reads like a thriller, but it is ultimately a story of healing, responsibility, and the importance of preserving history for future generations.

The determination of all involved with this remarkable case

This is an amazing book. This book is a real eye opener and great story. Its well written and the you can tell the author sincerely cared about the work he was doing.

Exceptional.

As a former federal investigator, this was an incredible recounting and insight into a specialized field of investigative effort which is not commonly seen. It serves as a shining example of what concentrated efforts can accomplish across a variety of specialities through conversation. It also critically highlights the important work of these efforts by federal agencies.

stolen history

The Grave Robber was a fascinating account of the FBI's seizure, examination, and repatriation of thousands of stolen archaeological artifacts and human remains. That one man amassed such a collection of illegally obtained museum quality objects over a lifetime is amazing. The extraordinary lengths that the FBI went to to return these treasures to their countries and tribes of origen. The behind the scenes workings of the FBI was very interesting. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

Just Incredible! A Must Read/Listen!

From start to finish this a solid performance by the narrator and a well-written unfolding narrative by the author telling this unbelievable true story. Throughout the book there are insights into the workings of the elite FBI Art Crime Team, the FBI in general and how multiple agencies and organizations work together on complex investigations. If you like the true crime genre this one is a must have page-turner you will have trouble putting down.

Most importantly, the book does a great job telling a compelling and complex story that exposes the damage that is done to our cultural heritage through the senseless looting of archaeological and grave sites. It is hard to grasp the amount and degree of damage that was done largely by one person and the lasting impact that it continues to have. Great job by the FBI Art Crime Team and the others that were involved! I'm sure I'll listen to this one multiple times. Don't wait, use that credit! You won't be disappointed.

So I’ll attempt to do my duty and report on ..

..what I’ve slogged through thus far. This may have made a good Parade / RD article….but a book…yeesh. Catches your attention early (but briefly), as it is certainly a unique story. But to be completely intellectually honest, it’s been 50% fawning over the ‘team’ and the hard work & effort, and 50% virtue signaling to you that, what is sounding (repetitively I might add) more & more like the most overdone reflexive govt action to date in an attempt to make up for centuries of screwing over the tribes. If you’d like to hear about the reverence and respect given these artifacts upon removal, transport etc…this is the one you’ve been waiting for. Let’s face it, you’d have to be a real d-bag to loot ANY grave, but you’d think it was someone’s 1st gen mother/ father the way they talked about these LONG forgotten, unmarked (as many of the era would be by now) sites that were absolutely pilfered. No spoiler alerts…doubt there can be ..just FYI. Guy who rats him out: obviously fine with it until the beef with the 2nd wife. Shocker. Tried to rat him out years earlier to the FBI…..pass. I’ll try to finish but jeez is it repetitive back slapping & butt kissing after hear what you need right off the bat. I had difficulty figuring out a review strategy, but I’ll save you a credit: Old Man digs up graves of just about every ethnicity on the planet, is ratted out by old friend with beef, G-man stretches tale to novel status, needs you to be assured by respect given by blue coats this go-round.